Cops are partners for life

THE WEDDING DATE IS SET

Two former Fredericton-area men may become the first gay couple to marry in the RCMP's history.

Const. Jason Tree and Const. David Connors are getting ready to walk down the aisle next month in Yarmouth.

And it all started from a love affair kindled when the two at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton.

Tree, 27, was a chemistry student at the time he met Connors, 28, a computer engineering student. Connors, originally from Nackawic and the son of Mayor Bob Connors, said it was love at first sight.

They were each other's first boyfriends. Tree said he had already made it public he was gay before he went to UNB, but Connors said he wasn't sure he was gay until he met Tree.

"He stood out from the rest," he said. "He wasn't like a lot of the other gay men that I met at the time. He's very engaging in conversation and we had a mutual attraction. It preceded very well ever since."

But their lives haven't been without anxiety.

Tree, who grew up in Fredericton, said he always wanted to join the RCMP but wasn't sure how the force would treat homosexuals.

But he said they've never had a problem with anyone in the RCMP, and everyone from co-workers to superiors has always been supportive.

"I didn't know what to expect going into the RCMP," Tree said. "There's a public perception sometimes it's a heterosexual job, you know, for men. I didn't know what to expect, but it's been tremendously positive. I've been very open ever since I started being open about my sexuality."

In fact, Tree said, their June 30 wedding will be mostly attended by co-workers and friends from Yarmouth, where Connors works.

Tree works in nearby Meteghan.

Family from Fredericton and Nackawic will also be on hand to witness the vows.

Bob Connors said he will be going to his son's wedding.

He declined to comment on his son's private life.

Apart from getting ready for the wedding, David Connors said the hardest part has been dealing with the swirl of national media attention since they announced their plans.

"We're a little bit nervous, but I think doing some of the interviews are more of a trial," he said with a laugh. "I think the wedding is going to be a piece of cake at this point."

As for married life, Connors said, he's confident he and Tree have enough love to last a lifetime.

"After eight years, there's no one else I'd rather be spending the rest of my life with," he said.

Provincial RCMP spokesman Sgt. Frank Skidmore said the force was happy to hear about the union, adding that they're proud RCMP officers reflect all aspects of the community.

"This is a first for us," Skidmore told The Canadian Press.

"Certainly, the RCMP welcomes a workforce that is representative of Canadian society, and that is the case here."

The soon-to-be newlyweds plan to honeymoon in Europe.

By JOEL O'KANE
jokane@dailygleaner.com