Fil-Am comedian, same-sex partner to marry in New York

Filipino-American gay comedian Rich Kiamco is in the middle of preparations for his wedding with his long-time partner in New York, which recently allowed same-sex marriages. Kiamco and David Gibson, a graphic designer, have set their wedding on Sept. 30. They immediately decided to marry when the same-sex marriage bill was signed into law in New York state last June 24. “This wasn’t what I expected," Kiamco said in The Jersey Journal, according to a report on news site Filipino Reporter. “I thought it wasn’t gonna work, that it would be a plane crash. But over time, who knew? Kiamco's one-man show “Unaccessorized" is an autobiographic romp about a queer Filipino overachiever. The report said Kiamco's show received awards at the New York International Fringe Festival and Montreal GLBT International Theatre Festival. Kiamco, who has performed all over North America and was featured on shows like “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" and “The Howard Stern Show," met Gibson eight years ago online. "Progressive" tradition The report said Kiamco and Gibson both praised New York for its long "progressive" tradition. “I think there’s sort of a domino effect when a big state like New York pushes forward," Gibson, an English-Canadian, said in the report. New York is the sixth and most populous US state to allow gay marriage. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage, and Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois and New Jersey approved civil unions. The first legal same-sex marriages in the United States took place in Massachusetts in 2004. However, gay marriage is banned in 39 states. A journey The couple said they will continue fighting for gay rights after their marriage. “It’s the principle. It’s bigger than our personal life. It’s a bigger cause of human equality," Kiamco said in the report. In the report, Gibson described their fight for gay rights as a "marvelous, joyful journey." To help their relationship run smoothly, Kiamco and Gibson engaged in couples’ therapy before moving into their Lincoln Park neighborhood home. “We needed tools for working with each other and communicate instead of stomping off in the middle of dinner parties," Kiamco said. Gibson agreed. “It’s opened up channels and completely changed our relationship." — Jesse Edep/VVP, GMA News