Widower in first male same-sex marriage on Teesside remembers husband as he approaches anniversary

A widower who was half of the first male same-sex couple to be married on Teesside says his heart will always belong to his husband as he prepares to celebrate their ten year anniversary.

Jonathan and Martin Brown tied the knot in 2014 after being together for 13 years following their meeting at a hostel in Chatham. And their marriage was extra special, as they were the first same-sex male couple to be wed on Teesside.

But tragically, before they reached their second anniversary, fun-loving Martin suffered a fatal heart attack while sleeping, and Jonathan was left a widower at the age of 30.

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Now 40, Jonathan is preparing to celebrate their ten year anniversary on September 1 and has paid tribute to much-loved Martin who he says was his "one". Sparks flew when Jonathan and Roseberry Park mental health nurse Martin met in a homeless hostel after both had suffered difficulties in their lives.

The pair went through hard times financially before moving up to Middlesbrough in 2003. A life-long Boro fan, Martin wanted to make a fresh start in the town he loved so much because of football.

Jonathan and Martin, who eventually settled in Longlands, married in 2014 at Middlesbrough Register Office. Jonathan said: "When we first met, marriage was never on the cards. It wasn't even talked about - it wasn't a thing. When same-sex marriage came into force it had been building since the 1960's and people had been fighting for decades. We both went on marches in the 80s and fought for some of the rights we have now.

"We did it for the people who came before us. It's important there's now a law that says even if you disagree with it you can't do anything about it. We had a small service there was only 11 of us and then we came back to our bungalow and had a party in the garden - It was a really nice day.

"When we came out of the service all of our friends were on the staircase and I held the wedding certificate above my head like we'd won gold. We went by Boro Taxis there and Boro Taxis took us home so it was a proper Middlesbrough wedding - the only thing missing was the parmo."

Jonathan said being married entitled him to make arrangements for Martin's funeral and give him the send off he deserved. He said their marriage was not just a bit of paper but an important part of law which identified him as the next of kin.

The Teessider has now lived in Middlesbrough for more than two decades and says opinions have changed since the law came into force. He said: "When we got married there were no Mr and Mr presents like there are now and I think people don't really care now.

"The world didn't end when same sex couples were allowed to marry. If there's two people who love each other then why not let them get married. It's not going to hurt anyone or impact on their lives. I've never experienced homophobia here and I love Middlesbrough for that."

The 40-year-old said he can't see himself finding love again and described Martin as the "only one". He said: "To me there was only one and Martin was my one. My heart always belongs to Martin and I know that he would be the same if the shoe was on the other foot.

"He had a geeky personality. He was very funny he'd make me laugh everyday unintentionally sometimes. His sense of humour was very dry and he was very caring. Everything he did was from a place of love. He'd never do anything to hurt anyone's feelings and was never one to have an argument."

On the 10th anniversary Jonathan plans to put together a video for social media to remember Martin. "It's a special anniversary and I know we would have been together until we were 90 odd," he explained. "I have two tattoos of Martin and people used to say what if you split up but I'd say 'no we won't, we just wouldn't it wouldn't even come into the fold'. They'd be no reason for us to ever split up."