It’s a classic New York City love story: a ballet dancer meets an actor/photographer, they fall in love, and move in together. But in this case, it was nearly sixty years later till they could get legally married, because they were gay men.
The dancer was Shaun O’Brien, who died on February 23 in Saratoga Springs, NY. The photog was Cris Alexander, O’Brien’s partner and husband who died March 7, just two weeks later.
Writes the New York Times:
When same-sex marriage became legal in New York last year, [Cris Alexander] married Shaun O’Brien, the celebrated character dancer with the New York City Ballet. They had been together for more than 60 years and died less than two weeks apart…
“If there is a cause of death, it’s a broken heart,” his friend Jane Klain said in confirming Mr. Alexander’s death. “It’s as simple as that.”
While their deaths are certainly tragic, reading their obituaries shows they lived very full lives. And it seems that they had an ample share of their golden years together, both having retired in the 90’s to a Victorian mansion in beautiful Saratoga Springs.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Charli Girl
Thanks to Guvna Cuomo this young couple were able to “justify”
their love. Now if there are any bigots in the family they won’t be able
to treat their estates as if they were ” roommates”!!!!
Now let’s go FEDERAL!!!!
The Real Mike in Asheville
I’m unsure why you would label their deaths as tragic?
Life ends with death, it is as natural as growing first. These two gentlemen lived full and loving lives, survived homophobia, ignorance and HIV/AIDS, shared love and pain, and togetherness of 60+ years. And that they, along with many others, able to share and cherish one another in matrimony, it is all a thing of beauty, not tragedy.
My hubby and I are at 26 years, sure hope we get 34 more years.
Benjamin Corsey III
60 years That is AMAZING! I would love to leave this world in that manor. Closely following the love of my live on the ultimate adventure, the last one we as humans experience.
60 Years! That seems more real to me than my parents marriage that only lasted 19.
RP
It’s beautiful and inspiring..
Katie Murphy ex cath family
Something similar happened in Calif. When gay marriage became legal a couple in
their 80s as I remember got married. One died a few weeks later.
Decades together and only a few weeks of being recognized as full citizens. Then came
prop hate, courtesy of so called xtians whose culture gave us slavery, the KKK and
segregation
And the catholic church of the endless hidden molestation of children. Trying to hide their own evilest of crimes with a blitzkried of hate and demonization by the church and its german pope.
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-01-26/world/pope.holocaust.denial_1_bishop-richard-williamson-bishop-bernard-fellay-holocaust-denier?_s=PM:WORLD
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/pope-led-coverup-of-child-abuse-by-priests-7220621.html
Frederick
Beautiful story, may they both rest in peace.
Mikel D McGrew
This is a heartwarming story and a lesson to all the people who believe gay and lesbian couples cannot have long term loving relationships. I pray they are together in whatever after life there is and perhaps they will encounter my late partner whom I still grieve for after six years.
Miguel
B E A U T I F U L story 🙂
Frank
The story suggests that gay marriage leads to death…they died soon after they got married..LMAO
Just kidding…
Curtis
True Love
bernard
hi joseph and i have been together for 32 years this sept. so we you see we are out there and there are moor . thangk you bernard