Amy Zimmerman & Tanya Wexler
Amy Zimmerman, 33, and Tanya Wexler, 35, have been a committed couple for more than 14 years and live in New York City with their three young children: a six-year-old, a five-year-old, and a two-year-old, with another one due in February. Tanya and Amy attended Yale University where they met as members of an a cappella singing group. Although they had a formal commitment ceremony in Central Park in1997, they view marriage as the only way to give their family genuine legal and social security.
In addition, the couple wants to get married in Massachusetts where they have strong family connections, visiting here five to six times a year. Amy was born in Danvers and grew up in Andover where her family still lives.
Both Amy and Tanya come from large, involved and supportive families. Amy’s parents have been actively involved in the fight for marriage equality in Massachusetts. In fact, Amy and Tanya were married in Amy father’s back yard surrounded by 70 friends and family members.
Although the couple has taken the necessary legal steps to protect their family, they know that no collection of legal documents equals the protections that flow from marriage. In addition, said Tanya, “Everyone knows what marriage is. Our kids know what marriage is, and it’s important to us that they know that we are a committed and secure family unit. Only marriage gives children that certainty and security.”
Tanya, who received her MFA in Film Directing from Columbia, directs independent films while Amy is a stay-at-home mom. Amy and Tanya were married in Somerville, Massachusetts.