Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America's First Gay Wedding

Employing the perspective of the two groom cake toppers of the first legal same-sex American wedding in 1971, Sanders profiles Jack Baker and Michael McConnell, two white men who met in 1966 and strove for years to secure a marriage license. As the tiny cake toppers follow a recipe to bake the cake, they also narrate Baker and McConnell's journey in simple prose, from the couple's rejected first license, to law student Jack's legal name change to gender-neutral "Pat," and eventually to Michael's solo--and successful--second journey to the courthouse for the license. An author's note reveals that Baker and McConnell were "the only legally married gay couple in... Minnesota for nearly forty-two years." Cathro depicts the parallel stories in a vintage-inflected style, complete with '70s pastels and CorningWare-esque cookware, in a whimsical examination of a little-taught entry in queer history. Back matter includes an author's note, a timeline of marriage equality, and a bibliography. Ages 6-9. (May)

K-Gr 4—An iconic photo from the 1971 wedding of Michael McConnell and Jack Baker shows the men with their cake topped by two grooms. Those plastic figurines narrate this story about how two white men met, fell in love, and overcame obstacles to achieve the first same-sex marriage in the United States. Using the analogy of creating a wedding cake, the small figures gather and combine ingredients, bake the cake, and eventually frost and decorate it. At times the cartoon illustrations seem forced as the tiny grooms dance along the tines of a whisk or stand beneath a sugar shower in a mixing bowl. The illustrations of humans feature 1970s colors, patterns, and fashions, including polyester suits and wedding headbands. Both story lines emphasize the patience and persistence involved in the processes. Fifty years later the couple still lives in Minnesota as both Cathro's illustrations and actual photos highlight. An extensive author's note explains how the men obtained a license and married legally long before the U.S. Supreme Court issued its 2015 ruling on marriage equality. A detailed time line notes various state and federal laws and court decisions along the way. VERDICT This creative presentation of a little-known historic event introduces young readers to the topic of marriage equality. A good choice to foster diversity and inclusion.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Mankato