Ohio Gay Couple Has NYC Wedding Based on Gay Superhero Comic

An iconic New York City comic book store gave a gay couple from Columbus, Ohio, a comic book fan's dream wedding on Wednesday.

The New York Times reports that Manhattan's Midtown Comics celebrated the release of "Astonishing X-Men No. 51" by hosting the wedding of Scott Everhart, 39, and Jason Welker, 33.

In the new issue, superhero Northstar (one of the first openly gay comic book characters) ties the knot with his boyfriend Kyle. This is the first time a Marvel Comics superhero celebrated a gay wedding.

The Ohio couple was selected from more than 50 applicants and Midtown Comic's social media and events director Thor Parker said they were chosen because the men were clearly fans.

"They really stood out as super-fans," Parker told the Times.

Everhart and Welker, who met using the gay dating website called Findfred, had their first date at the 2011 Free Comic Book Day event, which promotes the comic book industry, the article notes.

"It was my first attempt at doing online dating," Welker, an architect, said. Two weeks later, he deleted his account on the website "because the first date went so well."

Although Ohio does not recognize marriage equality, it didn't stop the couple from talking about getting married. Everhart came across Midtown Comics' event to host a wedding at the infamous store.

"I didn't say anything to Jason until they notified me and said they were interested and going to interview us," Everhart, a site manager for an adult day care center, said. "That's when I broke the news to him and kind of proposed at the same time."

The couple said they will have another ceremony in Ohio for the friends and family who could not come to the comic-themed wedding.

The wedding was held Wednesday morning at Midtown Comic's satellite store in Manhattan's financial district. A reception took place at the Eventi Hotel in Chelsea. The store then opened at 10:30 a.m. to the public to sell "Astonishing X-Men No. 51."

"It's a huge step for us as a couple, but also for us in the community," Welker said.

Northstar and Kyle's marriage has been applauded by comic fans and officials from Midtown Comics say they have received positive comments by individuals as well.

Gerry Gladston, one of the store's owners, said that there were a few negative comments when they first announced that they were looking for a gay couple but there was mostly positive feedback.

"We're proud to take this opportunity to promote equality and tolerance, which is the message of the X-Men themselves," he said.

Following Marvel's announcement that Northstar would marry his boyfriend, DC Comics said last month that one of its major characters would come out of the closet. Many speculated that it would be Batman, Wonder Woman or even Superman but it was the Green Lantern who said that he was gay.