Bedford County, TN First Same-Sex Marriage

USPA NEWS - Mr. Christopher Cheramie & Mr. Rodney Thompson were legally wed in a private ceremony in their Historic Belmont Avenue District Home on Sunday, June 28, 2015, the first Same-Sex Marriage in Bedford County, Tennessee.

Mr. Christopher Michael Cheramie and Mr. Rodney Reece Thompson, Jr. were legally married in a private ceremony on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at 3:00 in the afternoon, in their Historic Belmont Avenue District home. The Honorable F. Lee Russell, Circuit Court Judge , Tennessee 17th District, officiated over the couples nuptials which were witnessed by their mothers, Mrs. Jeanette Cheramie and Mrs. Mary Ann Thompson-Anderson. Mr. Cheramie, originally of New Orleans, Louisiana is the son of the late Mr. Lynn James Cheramie, II and Mrs. Jeanette Ballard-Cheramie currently a resident of Hermitage, Tennessee. He is the grandson of the late Mr. & Mrs. Lynn James Cheramie, Sr. and the late Mr. & Mrs. William Ballard. Mr. Thompson, originally of Huntsville, Alabama is the only son of the late Mr. Rodney R Thompson, Sr. and Mrs. Mary Ann Thompson-Anderson currently a resident of Shelbyville, Tennessee. He is the grandson of the late Mr. & Mrs. M. Reese Thompson and the late Mr. & Mrs. Louis W. Mills. The Messrs. Cheramie-Thompson were the first Same-sex couple to legally wed in Bedford County, Tennessee. The Cheramie-Thompson's also are the Publishers and Owners of the Shelbyville Free Press. A larger vow renewal ceremony and reception for family and friends celebrating their marriage to one another will be held in November of this year in Shelbyville. The happy couple plan to continue to reside in their Historic Belmont Avenue District home.