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8 Sep 2011

Officially married: Oyoung Wen Feng and Phineas Newborn III

View photos from Ouyang Wen Feng and Phineas Newborn III's wedding ceremony in New York on Aug 31.

Openly gay author and pastor Rev. Oyoung Wen Feng and his partner Phineas Newborn III are now legally married. The couple took advantage of New York's marriage equality law and married on August 31 – Malaysia's Merdeka (independence) Day – at the New York City Hall. In June, New York became the sixth US state to legalise same-sex marriages.

News of Malaysia-born Oyoung's marriage made the headlines in his home country and attracted the criticism of Malaysia's Islamic Affairs Minister who called Ouyang's plans to marry as an example of "extreme freedom."

Explaining his decision to register on Aug 31, he told Fridae in a interview published last month: "(The date) is to honour my country, I am proud to be a Malaysian, even though the government sucks! 

"But I believe things will get better, if all people will come out to fight for a better future, I am not talking about come out in terms of sexuality, but come out from fear, regardless what kind of fear it is, whether it is the fear of choosing ones career, or fear of coming out from a bad relationship, or fear of coming our from dictatorship and oppression."

Oyoung, whose real name is Ngeo Boon Lin, was previously married to a woman for nine years until he "came out" publicly in 2006. His 47-year-old Broadway producer husband is from a well known family of jazz musicans whose name he bears, and has a teenaged daughter from his previous marriage.

The pair were married in a ceremony presided over by Rev. Gayle Davis who is a good friend of the couple and staff pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of New York where Oyoung also serves as a staff pastor.

Speaking to Fridae several days after the wedding ceremony, the 41-year-old Oyoung said: "To me, the verdict is in and the battle is won, sooner or later people will accept the fact that homosexuals and heterosexuals are all equal human beings and should be treated with respect and dignity, just like the Church finally accepted the fact that the earth is revolving around the sun.

"The question now is how soon it will be happening. We need to work harder so that it will happen as soon as possible. Many people are suffering under homophobia everyday, some people have taken their own lives because of the stress. More people need to come out to support gay people. People need to know it is not about lifestyle, it is about life!"

The New York-based pastor said he intends to hold a wedding banquet in Malaysia next year.


At the New York City Hall with a reporter (extreme left) from World Journal,
a Chinese newspaper in the US, and Rev. Gayle Davis (in black).


Phineas Newborn III (left) and Oyoung Wen Feng (right)


With Rev. Gayle Davis


All photos are courtesy of Oyoung Wen Feng.
Photographed by Donald Emmert from AFP.


From proposal to marriage

by Oyoung Wen Feng (Sep 8, 2011):

We made our divine appointment on June 26, 2011. It was serendipity at its best. Not only was it our second year anniversary but also, it was gay pride in NYC. Rev. Pat Bumgardner was the Grand Marshall, Phineas’ mom was here for his daughter's graduation from middle school and to top things off the Marriage Equality Act had just passed two days prior. Wow! How the stars were aligned! 

It could not have been a more beautiful day! Our most vivid memory of that day was how emotional we were during the proposal. Phineas began to cry when he saw me start to tear. Then his mom, daughter and half the congregation were crying. It was magical! When Phineas actually proposed it was a complete surprise because when he began the song I thought it was just to honor our anniversary. Although, I think I was the only one who didn't know what was going to happen, when Phineas sang: 

"The present is a gift, to take, not give away; The present is a gift, I open it today; Right here, right now, I am ready, I know how to share a love that's true Boon, I want to MARRY YOU." I was shocked! 

The parade was the icing on the cake! To walk in the street with my soon-to-be mother-in-law and stepdaughter was the most amazing feeling. We were all proud that our love was being recognized by the state of NY. 

Our wedding had its challenges, like all things worthwhile, don't come easily. We arrived at 12 PM and were not married until almost 4 PM. Rev. Gayle performed our vows in the Wedding Garden in front of City Hall. It was bittersweet for Phineas because he got news that his grandmother Zenobia James Carey had passed that morning just after turning 105 years old. Although he was grieving his loss he said with a smile: “I guess she wanted a front row seat to our wedding." We know that we both have a beautiful angel to watch over us.

Reader's Comments

1. 2011-09-08 20:24  
am so happy for them... ;D
2. 2011-09-08 20:27  
Yup. me too. Very happy for them.
3. 2011-09-08 20:28  
congratulation to them ^^
4. 2011-09-08 20:48  
congrats,,im so happy for them!
so inspiring!
5. 2011-09-08 21:42  
cool 26 june also my day
6. 2011-09-08 21:49  
Congrats... I'm so proud wt them.
7. 2011-09-08 22:51  
is he (oyoung) blindd ??!!!!!!!!
8. 2011-09-08 23:17  
Congrats to them! It's great they're able to solidify their love in a way they choose to.
Comment edited on 2011-09-08 23:42:15
9. 2011-09-08 23:42  
Congrats for both of u...
10. 2011-09-09 00:47  
congratulations..happy for them :)
11. 2011-09-09 01:57  
congratulations!! i envy them -_-;
Comment edited on 2011-09-09 01:58:18
12. 2011-09-09 02:10  
congratulations||Happy for for both of you!!
13. 2011-09-09 02:15  
good to learn that something good came out from this relationship. all the best to your marriage guys.
14. 2011-09-09 02:31  
getting a warm fuzzy feeling here. the best for both of u.
15. 2011-09-09 02:32  
I am very much happy for them.. Wishing you alll the best in life and more babies to come!!! Joke!!! :))
16. 2011-09-09 05:24  
They just seem so right for each other :) I'm really happy that they have been able to make the commitment. Let's hope more couples will take this fantastic opportunity to take their love for each other to a higher level.
17. 2011-09-09 06:40  
Congrats, happy couple!
18. 2011-09-09 08:21  
Best Wishes, may you both be happy and healthy.
19. 2011-09-09 08:25  
wow, reading their story makes me feel that it deserves a never ending soap opera production... so much confusion and to-ing and fro-ing in their lives... think the next chapter will see them going back to being "straight" and having more babies and telling us it was all a mistake or stage in their lives.... so much drama
20. 2011-09-09 08:58  
As they say...after the glow, comes the laundry...
Best wishes to the couple.
21. 2011-09-09 09:08  
:) happy for them... hope happiness will continue for them..
22. 2011-09-09 09:32  
and this is news because...?
23. 2011-09-09 10:59  
LOL marriage??? I know a german gay couple who got married and a few years later the younger one got fat and they separated. So why bother! Do we need to ape the straights in everything?
24. 2011-09-09 11:21  
im happy from them
25. 2011-09-09 11:42  
ahhh one day... ONE DAY!! I hope I can join them...

and I love in the article: Malaysia's Islamic Affairs Minister who called Ouyang's plans to marry as an example of "extreme freedom." HAHAHAHA!
This is wrong because you have extreme freedom!
Not allowed! You should only have the freedoms WE give you!
You want to be happy?? Extreme Freedom!!
Be with the person you love?? Very Extreme Freedom!

Kekeke
26. 2011-09-09 11:53  
Oyoung said: "To me, the verdict is in and the battle is won, sooner or later people will accept the fact that homosexuals and heterosexuals are all equal human beings and should be treated with respect and dignity, just like the Church finally accepted the fact that the earth is revolving around the sun.
27. 2011-09-09 12:15  
congrats oyoung & phineas!!! may God bless u both always - d(^__^)b
28. 2011-09-09 12:48  
I always believe in true love, even in amongst homosexuals. Looking at you guys, it gives strength to hold on to my belief. God bless u both!
29. 2011-09-09 14:51  
nice!
30. 2011-09-09 15:32  
heartiest congrats... you are an inspiration to us all...

Comment #31 was deleted by its author on 2011-09-09 16:05
32. 2011-09-09 16:02  
Like everyone else, I wish them every happiness in their future together, but Oyoung really should have married me! LOL.
33. 2011-09-09 17:34  
Congratulations and Best Wishes.....
34. 2011-09-09 20:04  
cool, congrat ,so happy hear to the news
35. 2011-09-09 22:03  
congratulations, best wishes for both of them. :)
36. 2011-09-09 22:04  
congratulations, best wishes for both of them. :)
37. 2011-09-09 22:05  
congratulations, best wishes for both of them. :)
38. 2011-09-09 23:43  
Wish u guys Happy ever after! Hugs!
39. 2011-09-10 13:47  
Good for them ... I wish more can do this!
40. 2011-09-10 13:50  
Congratulations Oyoung and Phineas!

Those who do not have anyhting good to say then don't say anything, cos you are just envy them. Sour grapes!
Comment #41 was deleted by its author on 2011-09-14 19:34
42. 2011-09-10 22:11  
ohh.. who will be the wife and who the husband?
will they have kids.....!
anyway good for them
43. 2011-09-11 10:52  
congrats to he newly weds
44. 2011-09-11 10:52  
congrats to he newly weds
45. 2011-09-11 14:55  
married at malaysia independent day.. cool ... :)
46. 2011-09-12 12:53  
my best wishes to them....
47. 2011-09-12 12:53  
my best wishes to them....
48. 2011-09-12 20:02  
Hello newlyweds, you are a shining example of what true love can do. Congratulations and best wishes. My plans are set to go to the Philippines to marry my love of 4 years. Since the Philippines don't recognise gay marriage, our special day will be a mainly private affair. But I am looking forward to that day. Now I need to get the airline ticket. WOW. Good luck and much happiness to you both
49. 2011-09-12 20:10  
10 years ago it was already possible to get same sex marraige in the netherlands
50. 2011-09-14 14:14  
they're looking sooo sweet. happy for them :')
somewhat agree to what they say, it is not necessarily free to come out, but free from fear

hmm (wondering)
51. 2011-09-15 20:05  
Blessed quote : "The question now is how soon it will be happening. We need to work harder so that it will happen as soon as possible. Many people are suffering under homophobia everyday, some people have taken their own lives because of the stress. More people need to come out to support gay people. People need to know it is not about lifestyle, it is about life!"
52. 2011-09-16 00:15  
I can't be happier for them. Congrats!!!
53. 2011-09-20 18:40  
So lovely! When can I get married in Singapore?
54. 2011-09-21 16:59  
Congrats they look cute together! Now im waiting for California get Prop 8 over it and have Legalize Same-sex Marriage back again. Gosh i have to go in the East Coast get married like New York.
55. 2011-10-06 23:10  
is a good decision but si not ease to divorce a woman and then married to a man i wish them happiness . but for me is better to married to single man and i dont need to break a family.
56. 2012-05-08 16:07  
i am happy with them !
57. 2012-05-08 16:07  
i am happy with them !
58. 2013-10-14 14:36  
Wow gay marriage its cool... congratulations to both of u... damn when I gonna found mister right too.. wanna get married too or even not get married wanna be with someone who can stay and love me forever.... ;)

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