Wedding Album: John and Mike

In a series of photo albums, we follow New York couples on their wedding day. John and Mike were bullied as kids and say that if their younger selves could have known they'd get married some day and that their families would be there, "it would have made a world of difference."

Photography and text by Jessica Bergthold and Kristy Rowe

John Caroll Michael Gallagher SIGNING x560 (Jessica Bergthold Kristy Rowe) | ADVOCATE.COM

John Carroll & Michael Gallagher
New York City

Michael and John met when John was on tour with a Broadway show in Philadelphia. They had their first date, then John went on the road. With John in one city one week and another the next, the couple learned how long-distance relationships work. Together they created a way of getting to know each another. And this weekend they got married.

“It feels great to be a part of history," John said Sunday as couples gathered at City Hall to marry. "The energy is amazing. Being outside waiting in line, the sense of community that is happening here is really fantastic.”

John's family came in from Long Island, and Michael’s family traveled up from Pennsylvania. The moment for the couple comes with a natural "It Get Better" message because John and Michael were both bullied as kids.

John said that if he "could have told that young kid that he would get married some day and there will be this historic day with your family at City Hall, it would have made a world of difference."

Click here for more coverage of marriage equality in New York

Jessica Bergthold: This Modern Life Photography

Jessica Bergthold, along with her husband Kevin, owns This Modern Life Photography in Denver. They see weddings as a social celebration of a sacred commitment. With more than five years of photography experience, Jessica is dedicated to capturing the emotion that comes with the most important of life experiences: weddings, engagements and family portraits. She describes herself as "a lover of people" and says "everyone has the right to live the life they choose." Jessica is an avid supporter of LGBT rights and has recently cofounded the LGBT wedding blog A Vote and A Vow.

Kristy Rowe: Moodeous Photography

Kristy Rowe, owner of Moodeous Photography in Denver, has had a passion for photography her entire life. After exploring fine art photography and photo journalism, she founded her portrait and wedding photography business in 2007. Kristy's work has been published in Out Front Colorado, Inked Magazine, The Denver Post, Rocky Mountain Bride, Rocky Mountain News, and many popular blogs. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and exhibited throughout Colorado and in Massachusetts. Kristy is also a cofounder of the LGBT wedding blog A Vote and A Vow. Kristy says "love is love" and "it should be celebrated."

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Reader Comments

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Name: zentierra
Date posted: 7/28/2011 12:00:56 PM
Hometown: Tucson

Comment:
@ Jeff (possibly troll Jeff), who stated that he "just threw up a little" in his mouth; Yes, dear. A sudden rush of envy and closeted longing will do that to ya!
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Name: Tanner Gray
Date posted: 7/27/2011 1:07:31 PM
Hometown: Gadsden Alabama

Comment:
@Buddy I don't know who you talk to, but most of us don't believe in open relationships.
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Name: Tanner Gray
Date posted: 7/27/2011 1:07:13 PM
Hometown: Gadsden Alabama

Comment:
@Buddy I don't know who you talk to, but most of us don't believe in open relationships.
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Name: micca
Date posted: 7/27/2011 7:58:58 AM
Hometown: Florida

Comment:
@Jeff. 1. You are a gay man playing with us and just want to stir the pot with a little poop!. 2. You are an angry straight man who compels himself to strike out! 3. You are a wannabe gay straight man! 4. ... and I like this one the best! You are a straight man very deep in the closet but every once in awhile you come banging on the door to want to come out! 5. This is a question... if you are straight and dislike gay "news", what the hell are you doing in a gay site in the first place??? (Closet time)
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Name: bizu
Date posted: 7/27/2011 7:38:05 AM
Hometown: San Francisco

Comment:
@Jeff Stop looking in the mirror and you'll stop throwing up. Geeze. Real simple
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Name: busuuuuuu
Date posted: 7/27/2011 7:31:28 AM
Hometown: san Francisco

Comment:
@Jeff calladouchee... Stop looking in the mirror and you'l stop throwing up.. Geeze
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Name: David Greene
Date posted: 7/26/2011 11:23:32 PM
Hometown: Canton Ohio

Comment:
Congrats to the "HUNKS O' HUNKS O' BURNIN' LOVE! I'm jealous! (In a good way gentlemen). God Bless and keep you safe.
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Name: Dante
Date posted: 7/26/2011 11:12:08 PM
Hometown: Chicago

Comment:
So sweet! And adorable! Congratulations John and Mike! Here's wishing you a long and happy life together!
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Name: Buddy
Date posted: 7/26/2011 7:55:37 PM
Hometown: Saco

Comment:
If this make sthem happy more power to them! I for one want nothing to do with marriage in any form, I don't need a piece of paper to affirm my love to another person, or to define legal rights. I've never been lucky enough to be in a long term relationship with another man and don't believe true love actual exists. Perhaps someday my opinion may changed, but at 49 I'm not holding out much hope that I'll meet anyone let anyone that I would trust enought to marry in a legal ceremony. I'm also tired of seeing gay men in civil unions or "marriages" and are out there still dating and bringing third parties into the mix; if you want marriage then treat it with the respect and tradition that marriage requires. I'm constantly disappointed and let down by friends who claim to be married and have a loving relationship and have "married" but are in "open relationships"; sorry, stop with the bogus crap!
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Name: Dana
Date posted: 7/26/2011 7:12:25 PM
Hometown: Leominster

Comment:
Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

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