Sex-Change Operation May Eventually Result In Legal Gay Marriage Transsexual Man Planning Surgery To Alter Anatomy

Wedding plans between a woman and a transsexual man may result in the first openly homosexual couple legally married in Oregon.

Lori Michelle Buckwalter has been taking hormone treatments for a year and plans to have surgery next year to alter his anatomy. Under Oregon law, he may then seek a change of gender identity.

“It allows me to be who I am,” Buckwalter said. “If you feel you’re a woman inside, others’ judgment shouldn’t stop you.”

But since he legally remains a man until then, Buckwalter is free to marry Sharon Contreras on Saturday.

Gay rights advocates hope the unusual marriage will support their effort to have the state recognize same-sex marriages.

“Two parties of the same gender may not enter into a legal marriage,” explained Lake Oswego attorney JoAnna E. McNamara, who represents the Oregon couple. “But once entered into legally, the marriage can’t be voided because of what they did subsequently.”

A Hawaii circuit court recently ruled in favor of three same-sex couples, but the case has been appealed to the state’s Supreme Court.

Oregon Citizens Alliance leader Lon Mabon already is pushing an initiative measure that would define marriage as a strictly heterosexual institution and gender as something that is determined at conception.

“It stops this playing around with Mother Nature,” Mabon said.

Leslie Harris, a University of Oregon family law professor, says the marriage between Buckwalter and Contreras likely would stand. “I can imagine it being challenged if anyone wanted to, but who would?”

Buckwalter, 46, and Contreras, 40, met through e-mail at the trucking company where they both work.

Contreras, who considers herself bisexual, says she was attracted to the 6-foot-6 Buckwalter as a man, but after learning of his desire to have a sex-change operation, she told him it was OK. “I was more concerned about what kind of parent he is.”

Buckwalter has custody of two teenage children from a previous marriage. Contreras, also divorced, has a daughter who attends Portland State University.

Buckwalter’s daughter, Jessica, 14, will be maid of honor. His son, Damon, 17, will give the “bride” away. In keeping with the gender-bending spirit, Contreras will present herself as the groom. Her daughter J.J., 18, will be “best man.”

Although the couple blurs gender lines, Buckwalter’s psychiatrist, Dr. Barry Maletzky, said transsexualism and homosexuality should not be confused.

“We see most transsexuals as being heterosexual; only a few are attracted to the same gender,” he said.

Damon Buckwalter defends his father’s choice.

“It’s her life and she can do what she likes,” he said, using feminine pronouns to refer to his father. “What she looks like doesn’t make any difference.”