An elderly couple in New York City have become a viral hit online. The men in question featured on the TikTok and Instagram account, @CuteMeetsNYC. The account approaches random couples on the street and asks them about their love story.
In this one, the men—Gary Williams and Stewart Bryer—say they met in 1984 at Dignity, a gay and lesbian Roman Catholic organization. Check it out below.
@meetcutesnyc Equality & Romance #meetcute #howcouplesmeet #love #nyc #church #streetinterview #foryou #foryoupage #fyp ♬ original sound – Meet Cutes NYC
Asked about their first impressions of each other, Stewart says Gary was “one of the most handsome people I’ve seen.” He says one of the best things about Gary is his courage. In return. Gary says he loves how caregiving Stewart is.
Still fighting for equal rights
When asked what they’re most excited about in the future, Gary says, “We want to see a flowering of rights to all. To trans people. That we complete the work. I started marching in Washington in 1978. We have to fight these laws against trans people, against LGBTQ+ people. We need to fight that.”
The video has enjoyed over 5 million views on TikTok and prompted thousands of heartwarming comments.
“To describe each other as ‘courageous’ and ‘caregiving’ is nothing but pure poetry 🥹” was one well-liked response.
“They want a more beautiful and equitable future for everyone, not just themselves. Beautiful inside and out,” said another.
“This is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen on tik tok,” said a third.
On Instagram, someone commented, “This is so beautiful. I am always so awed and grateful to see queer people who made it through the 80s.”
Someone else complimented them thus: “When marginalised people advocate for even MORE marginalised people >>>>>”
And someone else picked up on something else common to these videos. “It’s never lost on me that the queer couples (especially the older ones) first respond anxiously, and then move through to relief as they realize they’re safe. 🥹”
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“Boy, you’ve met some weird people.”
ShaverC
I hope this is a real couple, but the premise of this meet cute TikTok means that meeting this couple on the street wasn’t random.
jcool
your posts make it clear to me that you don’t like anyone, even yourself. sad
DBMC
Even if it was staged it doesn’t mean they’re not a real couple. Welcome to tiktok.
Kangol2
Not sure if anyone else will reply so let me register my happiness that these two men found each other back in 1984 and have maintained a loving relationship for the nearly 40 years since. It’s especially moving to see in light of the recent, high-profile gay celebrity breakups, several after just 6 years of marriage.
I also love what Gary Williams says about continuing the battle for our rights, which include gay rights, trans rights, and LGBTQ rights and equality more broadly, and I especially love that he was out marching in 1978 and has not lost his militancy, his determination or his desire for a better world for all of us. My best wishes to both of them!
Mister P
The world would be a much better place if we all took the position that what I want for me I want for everyone. No exceptions.
Kangol2
I agree, though more than a few people want to revel in their unhappiness and misery and spread it to everyone they come across and even those they don’t, which is one reason we have some of the social and political problems we’re facing today.
Pietro D
May people love and meet their mate no matter what they look like!
Is love and happiness supposed to be reserved only for the rich, famous
and BEAUTIFUL???????????? GET UR MAN and KEEP HIM no matter the
Circumstances.
Openminded
I prefer to believe they were both Hot little foxes 40 years ago and were attracted to each other for things other than gay rights and such. Obviously they were both progressive thinkers at that time and found companionship for all the right reasons. Proud for them. Being an out gay interracial couple back then was not very popular.
DBMC
Good for them! Very sweet.
I’m sad that conservatives can’t be happy even for this.
kylede
HOLY SHIT
I know them from my Church…. for over 20 years now.