America’s Most Captivating Couples 2009, Part I
Beverly Hills, California
Portia, 36, Actress
Ellen, 51, Comedienne, Talk show host
Married in 2008, Ellen and Portia have inspired us with their public relationship and celesbian chic. Their tabloid-worthy marriage and vocal opposition to California’s Prop. 8 caught our attention last year, and we just couldn’t resist giving them a second run as one of our most captivating couples. “We’ve both changed and grown, and we just feel like, ‘Oh, okay, this is completion,'” said the daytime talk show host of their decision to marry. Despite the struggle with California’s same-sex marriage laws, and the liminal state of their legal union, the two are still beaming. And Portia’s three-carat pink diamond ring certainly gave Ellen points in the romance department. Vegan animal lovers, they live with three cats and two dogs. Says Ellen on the Prop. 8 legal
battles, “I’m begging you. I can’t return the wedding gifts—I love my new toaster.”
Between new friends and familiar favorites, choosing the most delightful duos of 2009 was no easy task. But our hard work paid off and here we present part 1 of this year’s most captivating couples! Look for more couples in the March issue!
Maire & Amy
Old Bridge, New Jersey
Maire, 49, Musician, ViRAGO
Amy, 44, Musician, ViRAGO
Amy loves everything to do with the guitar, riding her motorcycle and making love with her woman. Maire is into psychic phenomenon, Celtic Shamanism, being part of any creative process, long walks and exploring new places with Amy. “We met for the first time in 1998 while I was performing with my percussion band in New Jersey. A student of mine showed up with Amy, but they were together at the time,” says Maire. “I met Amy again in 2000. We were at a Native American sweat lodge ceremony. Amy was the fire keeper. She was beautiful, bronzed and muscular and even remembered me. We talked about music, exchanged information and eventually ended up playing music. We’ve been together from that point on.”
