In the mid-1900s, conflicts between homosexual and heterosexual communities were common within Center City neighborhoods. īy the 1950s, a jazz, espresso, and beatnik culture was stirring things up around Rittenhouse Square and in coffee houses on Sansom Street, creating a niche for the city's gay community.
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The post-WWII Center City area provided plentiful housing and urban anonymity that allowed the LGBT culture to meet hidden from public view. Early gay networks would meet privately at underground house parties and other private venues within Center City, West Philadelphia, and Germantown. I can’t imagine life without him.The Philadelphia LGBT community has roots as far back as the 1930s and '40s. “You reach a point where it is comfortable and without saying a word, we are caring and dedicated to one another.
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When you are with somebody for so long, you have a history of bonding and dedication to one another,” he said. “We’ve had our ups and downs as relationships do, but we both understood that we meant a great deal to each other. “We found that much of what we enjoyed was similar and that was the beginning of the journey, and it grew from that.” The spouses have had their struggles like every other couple, Muchler said, but at the end of the day, their love is what means the most. “We both think you have to have things in common and your heart has to be somewhat in the same place,” he said. I hope the whole country sees it that way eventually.” Andrews said the two have similar interests, which has helped them grow into a more committed and understanding couple. It meant a great deal and we are so glad that people are getting the opportunity to get married. “I didn’t know what to feel or anticipate but once we were in the process of doing that, it was affirmation and an opportunity to feel and confirm what we felt with each other. Something came over me - it just meant so much,” he said. “When the actual day came, everyone was pleasant and accommodating and we stood and recited the vows to one another. “We come from liberal families who would abide by power of attorney, but we wanted to have laws that are in place where we would be protected.” The pair had a simple ceremony that Muchler said was both meaningful and emotional. “We knew we would get married soon considering we are getting older,” he said. Andrews said the two decided to marry in part to validate their legal commitment to one another. “During the last few years, I became angry that I didn’t have my civil rights and I am now grateful that it is happening so quickly.” The pair applied for a civil union in 2002 in New Jersey on the very first day that option became available, but said they had already begun making plans for their wedding in Delaware before marriage equality was legalized in the Garden State. “I didn’t think any of this would happen as fast as it did,” Andrews said. Both men came out after the Stonewall Riots in the 1960s and said they are in awe of the pace of the marriage-equality movement in the United States. Muchler said he was drawn to Andrews’ good looks, and that his partner has the same infectious smile as he did in 1971. “With young people it can be about the ceremony and pomp, and that never figured into the way we felt.” Before they became an item, Muchler would occasionally visit Allegro and began talking to Andrews, who said he was taken back by Muchler’s handsome appearance, beautiful hair, posture and warm personality. “Marriage has many different meanings,” he said. Andrews said they’ve considered themselves married for years. The two met at the bar in the fall of 1971 and moved in together later that year. Andrews works as a hair colorist and Muchler as an administrator in radiology for the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Andrews, who is originally from New York, and Muchler, a Pittsburgh native, lived in Philadelphia for 33 years before moving to Collingswood, N.J. 6 in Wilmington, Del., after 42 years together. Andrews, 68, and Muchler, 66, were wed Nov.
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In 1971, Ron Andrews was bartending at Allegro Bar on Spruce Street when a customer, Alan Muchler, caught his eye.Īnd, more than four decades later, they married.