Posted on 08/17/2009 11:08:35 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Davie couple celebrates their 70th anniversary as lesbian lovers
Celebrating an anniversary that has lasted as long as many people’s lives is some kind of feat. But doing it while having to keep your love a secret for nearly seven decades is a testament to just how strong the bond between Caroline Leto and Venera Magazzu is.
The two women, who live in Davie, celebrate their 70th anniversary today and plan to bring in the monumental accomplishment like any pair of 90-plus-year-old-women would - with the polka.
The forbidden romance started in 1939 at a party in New York. The chance meeting quickly flourished into the women living together a year later as roommates to the outside world, but secretly as lovers. Leto, now 96, told the Sun-Sentinel the couple told people they were just close friends or sisters.
The lesbians kept up the charade for decades – through the women’s rights movement and continuing on into the fight for gay rights - with only the closest of friends knowing of their relationship.
"I think most people had their suspicions, but they didn't really make a big deal about it because it was just two women," 97-year-old Magazzu said. "They didn't ask, and we just didn't talk about it."
The couple didn’t become legal partners until 1996 at a ceremony in New York. They decided to move back to Florida where Magazzu penned a book about the couple’s struggle with love entitled “An Unadulterated Story: Young and Gay at 90.”
To mark their anniversary, the couple plans on throwing a party at Etz Chaim, a gay and lesbian congregation in Wilton Manors.
This is how it went recently for Caroline Leto and Venera Magazzu as they sipped lemonade on their couch in Dania Beach:
''We're not going to have a party,'' said Magazzu, 97, insisting they are too old for such things.
''Oh yes we are,'' responded Leto, 96, who noted the two can still polka. ``This is a big one.''
Indeed. A party celebrating 70 years together is a big deal for any pair. But a celebration of this couple's love takes on special meaning, considering they had to keep silent about it for decades.
''You just couldn't tell everyone we were lovers,'' said Leto. ``You tell people we're friends, and some thought we were sisters.''
Leto and Magazzu downplay their pioneering role in the gay and lesbian community. But many of their friends and relatives talk it up anyway, marveling at how their love was able to transcend a lifetime's worth of obstacles.
To mark their Aug. 17 milestone, members of Etz Chaim, a gay and lesbian congregation in Wilton Manors, are planning a party. They hope Leto and Magazzu will attend and show everyone how to do the polka.
''Honestly, I think they are more in love with each other than they were back then,'' said longtime close friend and congregation member Gayle Scott. ``Look at straight couples. You are lucky if you are married after seven years. That is an amazing love story.''
In 1939 Leto and Magazzu met at a party in New York. Caroline thought Venera was stylish. Venera thought Caroline was funny.
After a courtship of about a year, Magazzu, a teacher, and Leto, a telegraph operator, moved into a tiny house in New York. They spent most of their lives there, with only close family members and closer friends knowing about their relationship.
Magazzu, a former Army medic, said she often fought the urge to tell others but feared what ''outsiders'' would think. She believes society back then was more receptive to two women living together than two men -- or at least less inquisitive.
''I think most people had their suspicions, but they didn't really make a big deal about it because it was just two women,'' she said. ``They didn't ask, and we just didn't talk about it.''
Leto's niece, Patricia Dillion, said she grew up believing the two were sisters and referred to them as aunts. One day, at a family party, an apparently tipsy Leto let Dillion in on a secret.
''She mentioned they got married,'' said Dillion. ``I was so happy, but then I got sad thinking that all that time they really couldn't be upfront about it.''
SNIP
NO PHOTOS PLEASE !
Show Dem Pics Yo,LOL
In the closet for 70-years?
Somebody should notify the Guinness Book of World Records...
Damn!
That was cruel.
My wife gasped from across the room.
This will be a HUGE story on all the MSM outlets
In case anyone wants to send them gifts on their anniversary, they’re registered at Empire Carpet.
70 years of sin.
Imagine that, don't make a big stink about your bedroom antics, and most decent people will just leave you alone.
And even in the dark ages of the 50's Christian zealot Republicans weren't burning your house down and dragging you to the gallows? Inconceivable!!!
I wouldn’t have believed that an organization like this existed, but here it is - and yes, there’s a photo on the page:
lol
I did not need a close up
Why?
They got the munchies?
Not looking. nope. ain’t going to do it. wouldn’t be prudent.
Hint:
The acronym on the URL stands for “Old Lesbians Organizing for Change.”
(You have to be over 60 to become a member.)
..... that last sentence is replete with opportunities for double and single entendres ..... be my guest
Dear God in Heaven!
So, ONE lezbo relationship out of how many lasted 70 years? Not a very good record. And still doesn’t make it right.
ugh
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