Gay
couple creates storm in Botanical Gardens
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GRO spokesman says marriage illegal
PANDEMONIUM broke out at the Botanical Gardens yesterday afternoon when a virtually uncontrollable crowd stormed into the gardens to see two homosexuals who had earlier exchanged "marriage" vows, take out pictures at the gardens' Kissing Bridge and the Place of the Seven Ponds.
The mammoth crowd streamed into the gardens in anticipation of
the 'couple's' arrival and went berserk when a car in which the
'bride' and 'groom' stopped at the Place of the Seven Ponds. The
crowd's wild reaction shattered the gardens' peaceful, serene
atmosphere.
Hundreds chased the white car from the roundabout along the
Seven Ponds, pass the Mausoleum and up to the Meteorological
office, where the vehicle was forced to stop because of a huge
pipe across the street.
As the screaming crowd swarmed around the car, which even had a
photographer in the front seat, friends of the two helped to
clear the way for the 'couple' to get out - and got the shock of
their lives when the 'bride,' decked in white complete with
veil, a trail, flowers and heels, stepped out of the vehicle.
Hooked on the hand of the supposed bride was a well-groomed
young man in cream suit, a few inches shorter than his
'partner'.
As their peers and photographers cleared a path through the
noisy throng, the pair, in their early 20s, made a 'bee line'
for the bandstand accompanied by a small 'bridal party'.
Within seconds of stopping at the bandstand the crowd converged,
screaming, laughing, some amused, others expressing disgust.
While some showed their support and clapped in glee, others
shouted 'fire' on the couple.
The Chronicle learned from a Guyana Registration Office
spokesman late yesterday that the marriage was illegal, that no
license was granted for its consummation.
The spokesman also warned that whoever married the couple risked
having his marriage license revoked.
Gays have been clamoring for Parliament to pass a Bill
authorizing same-sex marriage, but the National Assembly has so
far rejected the lobby.
The gay couple was last seen heading briskly up Regent Street
after completing their Botanical Gardens agenda, with a section
of the crowd behind them and vehicles conveying the 'bridal
party' following.
Tuesday, March 30,
2004
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