Kitty Lambert and her partner, Cheryle Rudd, tried to apply for a marriage license in Buffalo, N.Y., on Wednesday. When their application was rejected, Lambert asked for a random man from the nearly 20 people gathered in the city clerk’s office. She and a male stranger less than half her age were issued the marriage license.

Lambert, a 53-year-old art gallery manager, cofounded the Western New York group OUTspoken for Equality with her partner in 2004. She spoke with Advocate.com about their demonstration and the “insane” laws that restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Advocate.com: Have you ever applied for a same-sex marriage license before Wednesday?


Kitty Lambert: Traditionally for the last four years, OUTspoken for Equality has done a rally in front of City Hall for Valentine’s Day. This year, after the marriage vote loss in the state senate that was horrific and insulting and grossly discriminatory, we decided we wanted to do something different. So far, all of our actions have been nice, ask-y things. This time, we wanted to make a statement that would make it clear that we were angry about the vote. Just because we’re same-gender couples, we can’t get a license? That’s insane. That’s the statement we needed to make.

Who is the guy you are now licensed to marry, anyway?

His name is Edward Arthur Manz. Some graduate students I know found him. I first met him on Wednesday when he stepped forward. He’s 22. Now everyone teases me and calls me a cougar. He goes to Buffalo State University. I think he’s getting a degree in teaching. I really don’t know. He’s charming and he’s sweet, but I did scold him because he was dressed in holey jeans.

Any plans to tie the knot officially?
We could, but we will not. Ed is gay. If we don’t solemnize this marriage in 60 days, it is eliminated from the system and it is no longer valid.