Captivating Couples: Meet The Couples Who Stole Our Hearts This Year

GO’s annual celebration of inspiring partnerships in love and life.

Photo by Donna Aceto

CATHY & SHEILA — Queens, NY
Cathy Marino-Thomas, Organizer for Gays Against Guns
Sheila Marino-Thomas, Paralegal

Sheila and Cathy met in Provincetown at the Boatslip Tea Dance in 1991 (yes, there was a time before Tinder). They were friends for about three years before they became romantically involved. The secret to their long-term successful relationship is respect and the simple mantra: agree to disagree.

Though they have mastered a happy and healthy partnership, they have faced their challenges. “Our biggest challenge was protecting our relationship legally. We have been together since 1993 and had a heck of a time making sure we could protect one another and our assets from other family members. So we worked on the issue of marriage equality for over 17 years and won! I am the Emeritus Board President of Marriage Equality USA,” says Cathy.

Sheila’s favorite thing about Cathy is that she is a “ride or die partner. She will never give you up and will do anything for you. She is also dedicated to what she puts her heart and mind into, like marriage equality and our family.” Cathy says that she loves Sheila’s ability to “talk to anyone. It’s a beautiful thing to watch her work a room.

“Their daughter is about to start college in the fall. “We are looking forward to growing old and retiring together,” says Cathy. “We are very old!” Sheila jokes. The unstoppable pair have been together almost 25 years.


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