FAIR LAWN, N.J. (AP) - Standing before family and friends in church Sunday, Jon and Michael Galluccio did something they never thought they'd be able to do when they first fell in love 16 years ago.

The gay couple, whose joint adoption of a 2-year-old boy prompted changes in state adoption laws, exchanged vows and rings as Episcopal priests blessed their union.
In a state that does not legally recognize same-sex marriages, that's as close to a wedding as the couple can get.

``When we first came out 16 years ago, first fell in love, this wasn't an option,'' said Jon Galluccio, who changed his name earlier this year from Jon Holden. ``We thought we had to give that up because we were gay.

``As we're together longer and longer, we're finding out that we don't have to give up anything because we're gay. Sometimes you just have to ask for it a little bit louder.''

Although the national Episcopal church is divided over same-sex unions, the Diocese of Newark has long been receptive to gays, supporting same-sex unions and the ordination of gay clergy.

Holden, 34, and Galluccio, 36, were raised as Roman Catholics, but became Episcopalians four years ago, saying the denomination was more accepting of their sexual orientation. They have been congregates at the Fair Lawn church for two years.

New Jersey last year became the first state to allow gay or unmarried couples to jointly adopt, after the state settled a class-action lawsuit brought by Holden and Galluccio.

The state Division of Youth and Family Services was forced to scrap its policy barring joint adoption of its wards by gay or unmarried couples.

The settlement came after a judge approved a petition by the couple to adopt 2-year-old Adam Galluccio, a foster child the two men had cared for since he was 3 months old. The Galluccios also plan to adopt an 18-month-old foster daughter.

About 75 people attended the service at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement. Police cordoned off the street in front of the church and stood inside during the service.

A single protester, joined later by a couple who saw his signs denouncing the ceremony, stood about a block away.

``God doesn't ordain this type of thing in any way, shape, or form, particularly not as marriage,'' said Stephen Bauer, 43, of West Caldwell. ``It's an abomination to God.''