Plymouth native Tyler Langdon and his fiancé Charlie Finlayson made history last Thursday by becoming the first male couple in the history of Reno, NV to get a marriage license. On October 9, the courts ruled that same sex marriages are now legal in the state.
Langdon posted a picture of him and Finlayson on Facebook right after obtaining the license saying, “We won’t execute it until we have our wedding ceremony with friends and family, but we just couldn’t wait to get it.”
On Sunday, Langdon clarified the reason for wanting to have the marriage license in hand. He said, “Getting our marriage license was less a political statement or a form of entertainment. It was more a celebration of our love and of the political progress that has been made on the issue.”
He added, “We were fortunate enough to have been at the point in our lives when marriage is the next step.”
Langdon indicated that they have been waiting for the state to make a ruling that will allow them to marry. He said, “We were engaged a little over a year ago, and at this point, we were just waiting for marriage to be a legal option for us so that we could move forward with a wedding.”
“Having been so invested in the debate for so many years, it seemed only right to take advantage of the opportunity on the first day it was offered. It was so exciting to be a part of the history of it as well.” he said.
But Langdon sees the ruling as important for others as for himself. He said, “I don’t think the importance of the ruling in Nevada, Indiana, or any of the other states where marriage equality is now the law of the land can be emphasized enough.” “Not only does marriage equality ensure that numerous legal rights will be extended to same-sex couples, it signals a shift in thinking in this country.”
Langdon went on to say why he has been a part of the debate on the issues. “For me, the fight for marriage equality has-first and foremost-always been about being able to commit to my fiancé Charlie in the same way that my parents committed to each other and my grandparents before them.” he said. “But at the same time, I think the marriage debate has also opened a lot of eyes.” he added.
He went on to explain other reasons he feels the recent ruling was needed. He said, “Gay men and women are people’s friends, neighbors, sons and daughter, brothers and sisters.” “Marriage equality has taken a group that was generalized by gay parades and by caricatures on TV and humanized them.”
Langdon shared his own story saying, “It’s become a tired line in many regards, but my sexuality is a small-albeit important part-of me. I am an entrepreneur, a caring friend, a loving son and brother as much as I’m a gay human being.” “Marriage equality has made it possible for me to marry the man I love, but it has also helped make it possible for me to live openly and honestly.”
He is also looking forward to being able to share the excitement of the history-making in the future. He said, “We’ll always be able to look back on that day and tell our kids, we were the first male couple in the history of Reno, NV to get a marriage license.”
Langdon only made the permanent move to Nevada from California in the last few months. Many will remember him as the valedictorian of the class of 2004 from Plymouth High School and graduate of Notre Dame.
Although he headed to California to be involved in the restaurant management business, he went back to his passion in entertainment. In 2004, while a member of the PHS Speech and Debate Team, Langdon and his dual partner, Fabian Guzman, placed first in the NFL (National Forensic League) competition winning over hundreds of competitors from all over the states. In the past few years, he was seen in a number of nationally televised commercials and appeared in several films.
Currently he is the Finance Director for Nevada’s Secretary of State who is running for Attorney General. He also continues to tutor students, many over the internet.
Langdon said that he and Finlayson could be married as soon as next year.
Carol Anders Correspondent
