Westword: Will anything feel different after tonight?
Jeanne Fischetti: It will feel different tomorrow, to have legal protection and recognition.
Colleen Mintz: It will feel the same between us, though.
WW: What's it like having something that for the rest of us is a private, intimate ceremony thrown out into the public sphere like this?
CM: I feel proud. This is something historic, and I'm proud to be here.
WW: How long do you think it will take to make the next step forward for gay rights?
JF: I think we'll be able to get married soon.
CM: We're hoping it's within the next five years.
For more photos, visit our full civil unions slide show.
Continue to meet more couples who made it legal last night. Gary Raymond and Chris Clark: Westword: What will have changed after tonight?Gary Raymond: This is the first step toward official recognition of our rights.
Chris Clark: It is a historical moment.
GR: It's funny that in 2013 we're still fighting to all have the same rights. We're all drinking from the same water fountain.
CC: Yeah, I mean if you think about back in the '70s, they had to fight a lot harder than we do.
WW: How long have you been together?
GR and CC: Twenty years.
WW: What will it take to keep making progress on this issue?
CC: People need to see that we're equal among the population.
GR: Fourteen countries recognize same-sex marriage, and it's going to filter down. After a while, people realize that the populace isn't scared. Two generations from now, people will wonder, "Wow, what was the big deal?"
For more photos, visit our full civil unions slide show.
Continue to meet more couples who made it legal last night. David Hussie and Andrew McKinney: Westword: Will tonight change anything for you two?David Hussie: We'll feel more legally secure.
Andrew McKinney: Yes, we feel more comfortable now that we'll be recognized by the state.
WW: What's it like having something that for the rest of us is a private, intimate ceremony thrown out into the public sphere like this?
DH: At our age, it's okay. We don't mind it.
WW: How long will it take to achieve the next step -- marriage?
DH: I think it will take four years or so.
WW: When you heard that civil unions in Colorado would be made legal, how long did it take to decide that you two would try for one?
AM: We knew almost immediately. We've been together two years, and it was an easy decision.
For more photos, visit our full civil unions slide show.
Continue to meet more couples who made it legal last night. Angie Boggs and Julie Troglia:Westword: How will you feel after all this?
Julie Troglia: It really won't feel any different tomorrow.
Angie Boggs: We've been together ten years, so it feels like we've been married already.
JT: Our relationship is not defined by the law, but protection is definitely important.
WW: What's it like having something that for the rest of us is a private, intimate ceremony thrown out into the public sphere like this?
AB: I feel pride. I feel strong seeing normal people out for this cause.
JT: These things are good visibility for the community. I'd like to see a step in the right direction on a federal level.
AB: This is a good step, though, for the life we've built.
WW: Does it feel like we've turned a corner?
JT: Yes, definitely. This whole last year feels like we've turned a corner. We were glad not to see any protesters outside.
WW: What would you say to them, if they were there?
JT: If you don't like gay marriage, don't have one.
AB: Gay people are never going to go away.
For more photos, visit our full civil unions slide show.
More from our Politics archive circa March: "Civil unions bill on way to governor's desk, One Colorado plans celebration event."
