In a Summer tradition begun this year, a June Civil Union ceremony was held in Chicago's Wrigley Square in Millennium Park, serenaded by the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus.  Among the many happy couples being unionized on June 2nd, 2011 were Navy Veteran and long time activist James Darby and his partner Patrick Bova.  Darby, 79, and Bova, who was also celebrating his 73rd birthday, had been together a mere 47 years until the State of Illinois finally was willing to legally recognize their human loving bond, with Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Rham Emanuel in attendance no less.

In the US Navy from 1952 to 1956, Jim Darby was a Petty Officer 2nd Class cryptologist and Russian translator who served aboard two aircraft carriers, The USS MIDWAY, and USS BENNINGTON, as well as in French Morocco, Bremerhaven Germany, and Seattle.

Jim met Patrick on the campus of the University of Chicago in 1963. Jim was a high school language instructor, and Patrick became a librarian and has served as AVER's archivist for many years.  Asked about wearing his uniform to the Civil Union ceremony, according to Windy City Media, Darby responded, "I'd love to wear my uniform but, unfortunately, I've loaned it to the Chicago History Museum."  This July they celebrated their 48th anniversary. 

©  2011 Gay Military Signal