Gay couple ‘ate invalid’ from 31 churches before finally getting married

Not one, not two but 31 no hear one gay couple who wanted to get married in a church before they finally got it and are now “jumping for joy”. Shane Yerrell, 39, and David Sparrey, 30, from Essex, married last month in east London.

The couple was in no rush to get married, but after a health problem decided to go ahead with the ceremony. They had always wanted to get married in a church, but as they say, they “ate invalid” 31 times after contacting them for this purpose.

Finally, the church Wanstead United Reformed said yes at the 32nd attempt and the couple managed to tie the knot in front of family and friends on October 21.

“Honestly, I would have given up. But when I spoke to Reverend Tessa, I was screaming with joy and jumping around the room. David didn’t believe me,” Shane said, according to the Daily Mail. “When we met Tessa she told us: I can see you love each other, love is love. That’s the most amazing feeling.”

“She told us: Everyone has the right to marry the person they love. And he’s right”, he added. “That day was so special. This church was a light at the end of the tunnel. They are so brave and we will always be grateful. It wasn’t easy but it was worth it. We thought it would never happen. It was as if all the churches had agreed to say: We would like to but no.”

The couple met through a mutual friend in 2014. They have been together since 2016. David proposed on a beach while on vacation in Crete. Both men are church going Christians and wanted to have one Wedding at the church.

According to Shane, he was on the phone for 15 hours trying to find a church for the wedding. The couple say they heard 31 ‘no’s’ but the Reverend Dr Tessa Henry-Robsinson finally said the long-awaited ‘yes’.

It was David who entered the church first, accompanied by his 56-year-old mother, Dawn Bond. And Shane was joined by his mother, 58-year-old Maria Markham, and his grandmother, 79-year-old Iris Markham.

More than 100 guests gathered for the happiest day of their lives and the after party at Waltham Abbey Town Hall.

“It was a day I will never forget. We were surrounded by so much love. It was the perfect wedding day,” said David. “We were flying in the clouds when the church agreed to marry us. Everything seemed complete. I hoped Shane’s patience and determination would pay off, and it did.”

“Gay people just think it’s not possible, but if you’re in a same-sex relationship and you want to get married in a church, just don’t give up,” added Shane. “I think a lot of churches are afraid of the backlash – people saying it’s not in the Bible. But I think they can find a way to interpret that and make it possible. After all, love is love regardless of whether you’re gay or straight».

“It’s a proud moment for Wanstead United Reformed Church to be the first to bring the good news to the community,” Reverend Henry-Robinson told MyLondon.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in the UK in 2013 and the first weddings took place in early 2014. But according to the Church of England’s website, the law prevents its priests from performing same-sex weddings. It is added that although there are no approved services for the blessing of same-sex marriage, the local church can offer support through prayer.