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Wed ... Bill Novak, left, and partner Norman MacArthur Erwinna, Pennsylvania. Picture: AP Source: AP
TWO men who were once father and son have legally married. While it may sound icky at first glance their story is far more heartwarming than you would expect.
Yahoo Parenting reports that Norman MacArthur, 74, and Bill Novak, 76, married this week after being together for 50 years.
Father and son to husbands ... Bill Novak, right, and partner Norman MacArthur pose for a photograph at the couple's home. Picture: AP Source: AP
Back in 2000 when they moved to Pennsylvania, Mr Novak legally adopted Mr MacArthur, two years his junior, because they wanted to retain familial legal rights a lawyer told them that had been afforded to them in New York back in 1994.
“When we moved to Pennsylvania, we had both retired and we were of the age where one begins to do estate planning,†MacArthur told Yahoo Parenting. “We went to a lawyer who told us Pennsylvania was never going to allow same-sex marriage, so the only legal avenue we had in order to be afforded any rights was adoption.â€
Love story ... Bill Novak, left, and partner Norman MacArthur pose for a photograph near the couple's home. Picture: AP Source: AP
“It struck me as fairly unusual, but we looked into it and discovered that other couples had done it. [Without the adoption] we would be legally strangers,†Mr MacArthur said. “An adoption would grant the couple certain legal rights they felt compelled to secure. “Most importantly, it would allow us visitation rights in a hospital, and gaining of knowledge if one of us was in the hospital.â€
“If we were legally related, I would be allowed into the ER and entitled to know what Bill’s condition was if anything should happen,†he said.
Together since their 20s ... Norman MacArthur, left, helps his partner Bill Novak down a set of steps. Picture: AP Source: AP
However, last year a judge ruled that Pennsylvania’s law against gay marriage was unconstitutional and the couple decided to marry.
So earlier this month they went to court to get the adoption rescinded.
“We had 30 friends in court to show that this case was out of the ordinary — though the judge knew that — and when the judge signed the order our friends burst into applause and I burst into tears,†Mr MacArthur.
Life’s journey ... Bill Novak, left, and partner Norman MacArthur walk down their driveway. Picture: AP Source: AP