Yes we do!

We announced our wedding plans this morning in a follow up interview on NPR's The State of Things with Frank Stasio. The director of our documentary, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure, has decided to film this latest chapter of our lives and shot this excerpt. Since we've actually been together 55 years at this point, this has got to be one of the longest engagement in gay history! Thanks for a the well wishes that have come in!

Two men together for 55 years to marry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 2008

Media contact: Stu Maddux (323) 397-2951 stumaddux@bobandjack.org

Photographs are available at: www.bobandjack.org



HALF-CENTURY GAY COUPLE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT RULING

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(Hollywood, CA) In 1952 an Army sergeant was cornered and courted by his commanding officer. Their romance grew so obvious that rumors became anonymous tips to headquarters. They avoided court-martial by confronting their entire unit. That pivotal moment cemented Bob and Jack together for the rest of their lives. After living through most of the modern LGBT civil rights movement they woke up this morning able to marry each other- and they have decided to take the plunge.

"Our love is still so strong after all these years, yet we were never allowed the ultimate way to express it", says Bob Claunch, now 82, from their home in Los Angeles, CA.

We've always been politically active but neither of us realized how important marriage actually was to us personally until we realized that we actually could become husband...and husband." adds partner turned fiancee Jack Reavley, 83.

No date has been set although the couple would like to have a ceremony this Fall in the community center where they live at Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing in Los Angeles.

The couple's long-term relationship has been the subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, Bob and Jack’s 52-Year Adventure, by filmmaker Stu Maddux. "They want to have a new ending added to the film", says Maddux. "We leave off now with both worried about surviving alone without the legal benefits of marriage. Showing their wedding day will be a much happier conclusion."

Will Bob and Jack get married now?

Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley on their way to lunch Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

California's Gays and Lesbians won the right to marry today in a court decision that had many of my out of state friends emailing and phoning their congratulations. I suddenly had a fundamental right that I had been denied all my life. I absolutely expected to be joyous and free but instead was overwhelmed. What do I do now? I have a four year relationship that was moving toward domestic partnership in the next few months. But now, that's all up in the air.
Why take half measures? What's holding us back now? Come on, let's go to the alter.
I stopped and wondered what it must be like for Bob and Jack, the gay couple in my documentary "Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure." They have been denied the right to marry for more than half a century together.



In my mind they should be first in line at the LA courthouse. They should be on the cover of Time magazine and interviewed on the local news as they tie the knot.
Up to now they've always said that they were all for marriage but it's not for them. Until today, I could have said the same for myself. It was convenient not to contemplate because it wasn't an option.

I wonder, Bob and Jack, are you reconsidering?

Director Stu Maddux to speak about documenting gay life

Stu Maddux, Director, Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure

Hi Bob and Jack!
I don't think I revealed TOO many of your personal secrets last night but here a clip of the show so you can check:

I was on on Pacifica Radio's LGBT show IMRU here in LA with filmmakers Robert Nunez (We're All Angels) and Dante Alencastre (Into The Fire).

Stu Maddux, Robert Nunez, Dante Alencastre

WE, had a great discussion about the panel we are all on this weekend at the ONE Archives. It's about documenting the gay history happening all around us. The hosts were great interviewers.

All three of us will be showing clips from our films at this Sunday's panel. I haven't seen Into the Fire and now I'm very excited to get a peak after hearing Dante talk about how dangerous it was to shoot with transgendered folks in Peru. We're All Angels, Robert's documentary about the Christian Gay Duo, Jason and DeMarco is going to be on Showtime next month and there's so much good stuff I'm curious to see which clips Robert will pick for the panel. From Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure I'll be showing the scene where you had the wild sex party in South America during the Pinochet years. No. just kidding, guys. Probably the scene about how you came out in the military. That as we know, was no joke. I've also got a peak of my new film Trip To Hell And Back. I'll try to finally bring you a copy as you asked when I see you on Wednesday.

The mp.3 gives you and idea of what's up but here's the 411:

ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archive Cultural Series:

Where:909 W. Adams Blvd (USC Campus)

When: This Sunday May 18, 2008 2-5pm – free to the public

Director Stu Maddux speaks on gay history tonight

Director, Stu Maddux, August 2007

Our illustrious director, Stu Maddux (Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure) ;)
has been asked to join filmmakers Robert Nunez (We're All Angels) and Dante Alencastre (Into The Fire) to discuss documenting gay history on the radio program, IMRU.
It airs tonight (Monday May12th) at 6:30 pdt on Los Angeles public radio station 90.7
That's "Pacifica Radio" KPFK for you locals. They stream live so click on the link above.

The press release from the organizer says that they'll be telling "some shocking behind the scene stories"
I don't know if they take calls but we'll be listening so we can give Stu a hard time if he reveals too much. We DO have a few skeletons in, strike that, out of the closet.

BTW- We are doing great, Stu! See you on Wednesday for lunch.