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Wilson-Welihindha marriage papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 3256

Abstract

This collection contains materials related to the marriage of Ryan Wilson and Shehan Welihindha, which was one of the first same-sex marriages to take place in the State of Maryland on January 1, 2013.

Dates

  • 2012-2013

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

The reproduction of materials in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright clearances or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information visit the MCHC’s Rights and Permissions page.

Biographical / Historical

On January 1, 2013, Maryland became the first state south of the Mason-Dixon line to legalize same-sex marriage. The Civil Marriage Protection Act, allowing same-sex couples to marry, was approved by voters in a referendum on November 6, 2012 and took effect on New Year's Day of 2013.

Ryan Wilson (b.1983) was raised in Fallston, Harford County, Maryland. In 2009 he proposed to his partner Shehan Welihindha (b.1981) when they were living in Columbia, South Carolina. Wilson was the executive director of South Carolina Equality and Welihindha was studying for a Ph.D. in public health at the University of South Carolina. However, the two could not legally marry in that state because in 2006 South Carolina voters approved a constitutional amendment banning nuptials between same-sex couples. Upon learning of the passing of the Civil Marriage Protection Act in Maryland, they decided to travel to Wilson's home state in order to wed. On January 1, 2013 at 1:20 a.m., Wilson and Welihindha were married at Baltimore City Hall in front of friends, family, and the media. In total, seven same-sex couples got married at Baltimore City Hall on January 1st.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (1/2 Hollinger box)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Ryan Wilson, November 2019. Accession # 2019-036-LIB.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains materials related to the marriage of Ryan Wilson and Shehan Welihindha, which was one of the first same-sex marriages to take place in the State of Maryland on January 1, 2013. Items include the original City of Baltimore Certificate of Marriage for the couple as well as a Certificate of Recognition signed by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. The collection also contains a photograph album featuring images of Wilson and Welihindha at the Baltimore City Hall ceremony; newspaper clippings documenting the couple's marriage; and mixed materials such as hotel reservations, parking directions to City Hall, a list with the names of the officiants and the six other same-sex couples getting married that day, and receipts for the marriage license.

Title
Guide to the Wilson-Welihindha marriage papers
Status
Completed
Author
Sandra Glascock
Date
2022-05
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository

Contact:
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750