An Old Tradition

A gay couple just got married in Virginia, because the younger spouse disguised himself as a woman:

The near-nuptials began when the couple arrived at Newport News Circuit Court on March 24 to apply for a marriage license. McCain, who court employees said appeared to be a woman, presented a Virginia driver's license and filled out the section of the application labeled "bride." Court employees commented on "what pretty skin" McCain had, a court official said.

It was subsequently exposed and undone. There's a famous case of a lesbian version of this in 1731 when one Mary East became "James How" in order to marry her beloved in Philadelphia. Their marriage lasted thirty-four years before it was discovered. The story is one of many in my anthology on marriage equality, which you can buy here.