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THIS IS HOW ROMANY CHILD ROLL!
Narrator: ON "MY BIG FAT AMERICAN GYPSY WEDDING"...
GYPSY CULTURE DEFINITELY COMES BEFORE BLOOD OR FAMILY.
[ SPITS ] FOUR TIMES ON THEM.
Narrator: BEING BORN GYPSY ISN'T ENOUGH.
YOU MUST LIVE BY GYPSY LAW.
IF YOU DON'T PLAY BY THE RULES, YOU'RE OUT.
...NELSON KNOW HE AIN'T GOT NO SISTER.
[BLEEP] GYPSIES.
Narrator: IN GEORGIA, AN OUTCAST FAMILY
HOPE A TRADITIONAL CHRISTENING
WILL BRING THEM BACK INTO THE GYPSY FOLD.
WHEN THEY SEE HER IN THIS AND THEY SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE IS,
THEY MIGHT SAY NO TO ME, BUT THEY CAN'T SAY NO TO HER.
Narrator: BUT IT THREATENS TO FINALLY RIP THEM APART.
HE LET ME DOWN. I DON'T WANT TO [BLEEP] TALK ABOUT THIS NO MORE.
I'LL BE GLAD WHEN THIS [BLEEP] DAY IS OVER.
Narrator: AND IN ALABAMA, THE ULTIMATE GYPSY TABOO IS BROKEN.
YOU'RE A GYPSY, AND I'M A GYPSY, AND I LOVE YOU.
TWO GAY GYPSY MEN DEFY THEIR FAMILIES...
I WILL DISOWN YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, OKAY?
...TO CELEBRATE THEIR LOVE IN HOLY MATRIMONY.
IF YOU THINK I'M GONNA SIT THERE AND LET YOU SHAME MOM,
YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THINK COMING.
WAKE UP.
WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!
COME BACK HERE!
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
AAH!
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
IN THE GYPSY WORLD, STRONG TRADITIONS STILL REIGN.
BOY MEETS GIRL, OR GIRL MEETS BOY.
ROMANY GUYS ARE SO CUTE.
OOH! LOOKING SEXY.
Narrator: BUT BOY RARELY MEETS BOY.
YOU KNOW, GYPSIES HAVE THEIR RULES.
IF YOU BREAK THEM, THERE IS NO ACCEPTANCE.
YOU DON'T REALLY HEAR ABOUT GAY GYPSIES.
I DON'T WANT TO BE AROUND THEM.
NO. IT'S LIKE A DISGRACE TO THE FAMILY.
Narrator: IN ALABAMA, A GAY GYPSY COUPLE
ARE CHALLENGING THEIR TRADITION OF BOY MARRIES GIRL.
WAIT A MINUTE. YOU'RE, LIKE, DOING THIS AIR FRESHENER.
[ COUGHS ]
ROMANICHAL TOMMY AND ROMA IVAN
ARE PLANNING TO BREAK GYPSY RULES.
WE'RE NERVOUS. WE'RE GETTING [BLEEP] MARRIED.
[ LAUGHTER ]
I HOPE THAT OTHER GYPSIES SEE THAT IT'S TIME
TO VENTURE OUT AND ACCEPT SAME-SEX COUPLES.
I TOOK ONE OF YOUR BOYS,
NOT ONE OF YOUR GIRLS. [ LAUGHING ]
Narrator: ALTHOUGH THEY NEVER FORMALLY CAME OUT
TO THEIR FAMILIES,
BOTH TOMMY AND IVAN MOVED AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES
BECAUSE THEY WERE BULLIED FOR BEING GAY.
I WAS BULLIED AS A YOUNG GYPSY MALE BY OTHER GYPSIES,
AND IT WAS TERRIBLE.
Ivan: THEY USE THE CHURCH.
THEY USE THESE TYPICAL, LIKE, BRAINWASHING
TO WHERE YOU'RE GONNA GO TO HELL.
AND I'M LIKE, "[BLEEP] HELL.
"I WANT TO BE [BLEEP] GAY.
JUST DEAL WITH IT. ACCEPT IT."
Narrator: BUT ACCEPTANCE WASN'T SOMETHING
THEIR GYPSY FAMILIES COULD DO.
WHEN YOUR OWN FATHER CALLS YOU A *** AND A ***,
I MEAN, IT'S --
YOU KNOW, IT'S BAD WHEN YOU CAN'T BE AROUND YOUR FAMILY.
Narrator: TOGETHER, THEY'VE BUILT A LIFE
WITH NON-GYPSY, OR GORGER, FRIENDS.
I GOT TO GET A DRINK.
Narrator: AND TONIGHT, TOMMY AND IVAN
ARE SHARING THEIR BIG NEWS.
SOMETHING I WANT TO SAY.
ME AND THOMAS IS GETTING MARRIED.
[ GASPS ] WHEN?
THAT'S SO EXCITING!
ARE YOU BEING SERIOUS?
CONGRATULATIONS!
WILL YOU BE MY BEST MAN, JOE, BROTHER?
OF COURSE I'LL BE YOUR BEST MAN.
BEING GAY IN ALABAMA IS VERY DIFFICULT.
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE BEING A GYPSY
ON TOP OF THAT BEING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
YOU CRAZY KIDS.
WE ARE HAPPY THAT OUR FRIENDS ARE STANDING BEHIND US
IN THE CHOICE THAT WE HAVE MADE TO GET MARRIED.
VERY HAPPY.
Narrator: THE WEDDING IS TWO WEEKS AWAY,
AND, OF COURSE, TWO GROOMS WILL NEED TWO SUITS.
TOMMY'S GOING TO SURPRISE HIS HUSBAND-TO-BE,
AS HE'S PLANNING BOTH OUTFITS,
AND HE'S GOING BIG ON THE BLING,
CALLING IN THE QUEEN OF DIAMONDS,
TOP GYPSY-DRESS DESIGNER SONDRA CELLI.
YES, I AM.
YOU'RE KIDDING ME. YOU'RE HAVING A WEDDING.
AND YOU'RE GAY, AND YOU'RE A GYPSY?
THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.
WELL, I'M COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET.
[ LAUGHING ]
IN MY 33 YEARS, I HAVE NEVER DONE A GAY GYPSY WEDDING.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY GYPSIES, BUT USUALLY THEY GET MARRIED.
THEY HAVE KIDS. THEY LIVE A FALSE LIFE.
THIS IS A WORLD FIRST, EVEN FOR ME.
HE WANTS, LIKE, BLACK ON BLACK,
like, with gold studs all on it.
OKAY.
WE'RE GONNA GO A LITTLE BIT, LIKE, MORE BLING-BLINGY FOR ME.
YOU CAN SAY I'M THE BRIDE. [ LAUGHS ]
WELL, SOMEONE'S GOT TO BE THE BRIDE.
YOU COMING TO THE WEDDING WOULD BE AWESOME.
YOU HAVE ME SO PSYCHED RIGHT NOW.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THESE TWO ARE GOING THROUGH WITH THIS.
THIS IS SO BRAVE.
Narrator: AFTER 10 YEARS OF REJECTION
FROM THEIR GYPSY FAMILIES,
TOMMY AND IVAN STILL WANT TO BE ACCEPTED.
Ivan: IN EVERY GYPSY COMMUNITY,
YOU HAVE TO GET APPROVAL FROM YOUR FAMILY TO GET MARRIED.
AND THAT'S IT. I MEAN, YOU JUST HAVE TO.
Narrator: IVAN'S INVITED HIS YOUNGER BROTHER BENNY OVER
TO SHARE THE NEWS.
BENNY KNOWS THAT IVAN IS GAY...
...BUT MIGHT NOT APPROVE OF HIM MAKING IT OFFICIAL.
I GUESS MAYBE YOU GOT SOME STUFF WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT.
UM...
ME AND THOMAS IS GETTING MARRIED.
YOU'RE NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE WITH...
YOU KNOW...
LIKE THIS.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BEING LIKE THIS?
WHAT'S YOUR ISSUE?
YOU KNOW IT'S NOT...
RIGHT WITH OUR CULTURE.
YOU SHOULD BE WITH A WOMAN, A FEMALE.
SO YOU'RE NOT GONNA GO.
NO, I'M NOT GONNA GO.
NO. I'M NOT.
I'M NOT GONNA CELEBRATE SOMETHING
THAT I AM NOT ACCEPTING.
MY FEELINGS ARE HURT, AND I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE THERE.
[ SIGHS ]
I LOVE YOU, TOO.
BUT I'M STILL NOT ACCEPTING IT.
IT'S A DISGRACE TO THE WHOLE FAMILY.
GUESS I'LL BE ON MY WAY.
Benny: TO BE GAY IN THE GYPSY CULTURE DOES NOT EXIST,
AND THAT'S THE END OF IT.
Narrator: IVAN CAN ONLY HOPE HIS OTHER RELATIVES
ARE MORE ACCEPTING.
Ivan: I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M ABOUT TO FACE.
I'M NERVOUS AS HELL.
I NEED MY FAMILY THERE, AND, UH...
WHO DOESN'T NEED THEIR FAMILY?
Narrator: IN THE NEIGHBORING STATE OF GEORGIA,
20-YEAR-OLD ROMANICHAL ANGELINA
WAS ALSO SHUNNED FROM HER GYPSY COMMUNITY.
THEY JUST WOULD COMPLETELY NOT LOOK AT ME, DON'T TALK TO ME.
BASICALLY, I WAS TOLD I'M ON MY OWN.
Narrator: ANGELINA WAS OUTCAST
BECAUSE SHE STARTED DATING A GORGER,
AN ITALIAN-AMERICAN NAMED CHAD.
LOOK HOW GORGEOUS YOU ARE.
I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I COULD POSSIBLY DO, AS A GORGER,
FOR THE GYPSY COMMUNITY TO ACCEPT ME.
NOBODY SPEAKS TO ME.
BESIDES ME AND BELLA ROSE,
THAT'S ALL SHE FEELS LIKE SHE HAS,
IS HER BROTHER AND HER FATHER.
Narrator: THE GYPSY COMMUNITY
NO LONGER ACCEPT ANGELINA AS ONE OF THEIR OWN.
Angelina: GYPSIES -- YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST HOW THEY ARE.
IF YOU DON'T PLAY BY THE RULES, YOU'RE OUT.
OH, NO!
Narrator: THEIR DAUGHTER, BELLA ROSE, IS ABOUT TO TURN 1.
WHO LOOKS GORGEOUS?
SHE'S GETTING CHRISTENED,
AND ANGELINA IS HOPING HER FAMILY
WILL PUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND CELEBRATE WITH THEM.
I WANT BELLA ROSE TO KNOW HER GYPSY FAMILY
SO SHE CAN HAVE THAT SUPPORT.
AND WE'RE GONNA TEACH OUR DAUGHTER
THAT GYPSY IS WHAT YOU ARE.
[ SQUEALING ]
Narrator: CHAD AND ANGELINA
ARE INVITING EVERYONE THEY KNOW TO THE CHRISTENING.
I'VE SENT OUT AT LEAST 250 INVITATIONS.
WOMAN: Hello?
HEY, SUGAR. THIS IS ANGELINA.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW
ABOUT THE BAPTISM AND THE BAPTISM PARTY.
I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW PEOPLE TELL ME,
"HEY, I'LL BE THERE. I'LL BE THERE.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE BABY."
Narrator: IF HER FAMILY DOESN'T TURN UP,
ANGELINA FEELS THERE'S NOTHING LEFT FOR THEM IN GEORGIA.
100 PEOPLE WOULD SATISFY ME.
Chad: YEAH?
SO, 100 WOULD KEEP YOU AT HOME,
KEEP US BASED HERE IN GEORGIA?
100 WOULD KEEP US IN GEORGIA.
AND THIS IS A LIFE-CHANGING SITUATION,
SO IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE COMMUNITY.
IF THEY WANT TO ACCEPT US BACK IN AND LET IT GO,
THEN WE'LL STAY HERE.
BUT IF THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT,
THEN WE'LL JUST MOVE DOWN TO JACKSONVILLE
AND START ALL OVER AGAIN.
GIVE ME A KISS, BABE.
I LOVE YOU.
Narrator: IN THE GYPSY COMMUNITY,
EVEN BABIES GET THEIR BLING ON.
ANGELINA'S GONE BIG...
OH, MY GOD!
...AND ORDERED A HANDMADE DRESS FOR BELLA ROSE.
BELLA ROSE.
[ Laughing ] OH, WOW!
OH, MY GOODNESS.
OH, MAN. HUH?
OH, THAT'S NOT EVEN --
I ACTUALLY GOT EXCITED ABOUT A PINK DRESS.
MAN, IS THAT GORGEOUS OR WHAT?!
THE SLEEVES -- THEY'RE ROSES.
[ LAUGHS ]
GOD, THAT'S GORGEOUS AS HELL.
I WAS SO IMPRESSED.
YOU KNOW, I'M TRYING TO STAND THERE AND BE ALL MACHO,
AND I'M LIKE, "WOW! THAT'S GORGEOUS!"
[ Laughing ] WOW! WOW. HUH?
JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS.
IT'S A LITTLE PACIFIER.
OH, MY GOSH!
EVERYTHING WAS FANTASTIC.
Narrator: ANGELINA'S EVEN ORDERED A DESIGNER STROLLER
TO IMPRESS HER GYPSY FAMILY.
Chad: WELL, IT MATTERS A LOT
THAT WE MAKE A STATEMENT WITH THE STROLLER
BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT ANGELINA,
ALTHOUGH SHE MARRIED A GORGER, SHE HASN'T LOST HER GYPSY WAYS.
EVERYTHING IS BLINGED OUT TO THE MAX.
Narrator: ANGELINA AND CHAD ARE GOING ALL OUT
BECAUSE THIS COULD BE THE LAST CHANCE TO RECONCILE THE FAMILY.
Chad: I MEAN, FORGET ABOUT IT. YOU KIDDING ME?
WHEN THEY SEE HER IN THIS AND THEY SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE IS
AND THEN WITH THAT DRESS, THEY CAN'T SAY NO.
THEY MIGHT SAY NO TO ME, BUT THEY CAN'T SAY NO TO HER.
Narrator: COMING UP...
IF YOU THINK I'M GONNA SIT THERE AND LET YOU SHAME MOM,
YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THINK COMING.
SISTER TURNS ON BROTHER.
HE HAS NOTHING TO OFFER. WAKE UP.
AND EX-GYPSY WIFE STRUGGLES TO GET BY.
HOW AM I GONNA PAY THE LOT RENT?
HOW AM I GONNA GET GAS?
Narrator: SHOULD SHE GIVE HER EX-HUSBAND A SECOND CHANCE?
I CAN'T DO THIS AGAIN.
Narrator: IVAN IS GETTING MARRIED TO TOMMY NEXT WEEK.
I LOVE IT DOWN HERE.
IVAN'S BROTHER BENNY IS NOT SUPPORTING THEM,
BUT HOPEFULLY IVAN'S NIECE HEATHER IS MORE ACCEPTING.
LIKE, FOR REAL?
FOR REAL.
ARE YOU GONNA COME TO THE WEDDING?
I MEAN, I WOULD. I THINK IT'S GREAT.
I MEAN, IT'S BEEN SO LONG.
I MEAN, IT'S, LIKE, EXPECTED.
BUT WHAT ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE?
I HAVEN'T CALLED MOM YET,
AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT,
AND I WANT TO GET ON IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
A BIG STEP TO SAY, "HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT?
WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA COMMIT TO EACH OTHER."
YOU'RE GONNA MARRY EACH OTHER.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE RINGS ON YOUR FINGERS.
AND YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A LIFE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
Heather: I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THEM.
I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING.
IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING SPECIAL WHEN SOMEONE'S GETTING MARRIED.
AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO SUPPORT THEM.
I MEAN, THEY'VE BEEN THERE SUPPORTING ME
EVER SINCE I WAS LITTLE, SO, YEAH.
Narrator: ENCOURAGED BY HEATHER'S SUPPORT,
IVAN GOES TO MEET HIS MOM, HELEN.
HER JUST SHOWING UP RIGHT HERE IS A BIG DEAL.
JUST HER BLESSING AND HER JUST SPEAKING TO ME,
IT'D HELP OUT A LOT.
A GYPSY SIN WITH THE LAWS
WITHOUT THE BLESSING OF THEIR FAMILIES,
THEIR MOTHER OR THEIR FATHER.
Narrator: BUT MOM HELEN'S DECIDED NOT TO SHOW UP
AND HAS SENT HIS SISTER CONNIE IN HER PLACE.
THE REASON WHY I SHOWED UP TONIGHT TO TALK WITH HIM
IS TO TRY TO TALK HIM OUT OF IT.
IN GYPSY CULTURE, WE THINK THAT THEY'RE DEMON-POSSESSED,
THAT THEY'VE DONE LOST THEIR MIND.
HEY, SISTER, SISTER! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
[ LAUGHING ]
WHERE'S MOM? WHERE'S MOM AT?
SHE REFUSED TO MAKE IT, SO I'M HERE INSTEAD.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "SHE REFUSED TO MAKE IT"?
Ivan: WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS HER DEAL?
SHE DOESN'T ACCEPT IT.
IT'S MY WEDDING.
I'M PLANNING --
YOU'RE IN FANTASY WORLD.
I'M IN REALITY.
I MEAN, COME ON.
GIVE ME A BREAK HERE.
DO YOU NOT SEE THE LIGHT?
YOU'RE JUST FOOLING YOURSELF.
DON'T DO THIS.
YOU'RE SETTING YOURSELF UP.
I'M TELLING YOU, YOU ARE.
CAN YOU PLEASE -- WILL YOU BE THERE?
NO.
YOU'RE GONNA GO TO MY WEDDING!
NO, I'M NOT.
YOU'RE REALLY MAKING ME CRY.
YOU'RE [BLEEP] WITH ME SO BAD.
I LOVE THOMAS.
I LOVE THOMAS.
AND YOU PUT YOUR FAMILY THROUGH IT.
WELL, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO ACCEPT IT.
I AM GOING TO DO IT.
OH, MY GOD.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU WASN'T MY BROTHER,
I WOULD SMACK THE HOLY HECK OUT OF YOU RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU THINK I'M GONNA GIVE YOU MY BLESSING --
OVER MY DEAD BODY.
AND IF YOU THINK I'M GONNA SIT THERE AND LET YOU SHAME MOM,
YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THINK COMING.
WAKE UP.
YOU KNOW WHY I'M [BLEEP] GAY?
WOMEN LIKE YOU, HONEY.
[BLEEP] GYPSIES.
YOU'RE GONNA REGRET IT!
HE'S GONNA WALK OUT ON YOU!
I'LL MARRY HIM 10 TIMES. [BLEEP] THAT.
I'LL MARRY HIM EVERY DAY IF IT TAKES THAT
TO GET IT THROUGH THEIR HEAD
THAT GYPSIES CAN MARRY THE SAME SEX.
Narrator: TOMMY AND IVAN ARE NOT A TRADITIONAL GYPSY LOVE STORY,
BUT IN GEORGIA, PAT BABY AND LOUANN
STARTED OFF AS A TEXTBOOK GYPSY ROMANCE.
THEY MET WHEN THEY WERE IN THEIR TEENS,
AND FOR PAT BABY, IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.
IT MELTED MY HEART TO SEE HER FACE, SEE HOW PRETTY SHE WAS.
THAT WAS A GOOD MOMENT IN MY LIFE.
WE'RE TWO OPPOSITE PEOPLE.
I'M TALL. HE'S SHORT.
HE'S LOUD. I'M QUIET.
AND THEY SAY OPPOSITES ATTRACT.
WE DID.
Narrator: LAST YEAR, LOUANN AND PAT BABY
PUT ON A SPECIAL HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR THEIR DAUGHTER, PRISCILLA.
THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE GREATEST TIMES I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.
Narrator: BUT JUST SIX MONTHS AGO,
PAT BABY AND LOUANN'S RELATIONSHIP FELL APART.
Louann: SINCE THE HALLOWEEN PARTY,
A LOT'S HAPPENED BETWEEN THEN AND TODAY.
Narrator: IN THE LAST YEAR, PAT BABY LOST HIS SISTER,
HIS BELOVED FATHER, PAT DADDY, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, DINO.
AND THE GRIEF WAS TOO MUCH TO BEAR.
PAT FELT COMFORT IN DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS FATHER PASSED.
AND I ASKED IF HE WANTED HELP.
HE DIDN'T WANT HELP.
SO I TOLD HIM I WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM AROUND ME AND MY CHILDREN.
Narrator: DIVORCED, ALONE, AND OUT OF CONTROL,
PAT BABY ENDED UP WITH A THREE-MONTH JAIL SENTENCE
FOR DRUG OFFENSES.
Louann: WHEN I FOUND OUT PAT WAS IN JAIL,
I DIDN'T WANT NOTHING ELSE TO DO WITH HIM,
SO I FILED FOR DIVORCE.
Narrator: BROKENHEARTED LOUANN
NOW HAS TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR TWO CHILDREN,
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,
SHE DOESN'T HAVE PAT BABY'S INCOME TO RELY ON.
SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS TO A TRAVELER WOMAN,
THEY REALIZE YOU DON'T HAVE NOTHING TO FALL BACK ON.
HOW AM I GONNA PAY THE LOT RENT?
HOW AM I GONNA GET GAS?
SO, I HAD TO LIVE WITH MY MOM.
Narrator: MOM KAREN HAS TAKEN IN LOUANN,
PRISCILLA, AND 4-YEAR-OLD MILES.
THEY MAY HAVE SOMEWHERE TO SLEEP,
BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY FOR LOUANN TO FIND WORK.
I CAN'T GO OUT AND GO GET A JOB ANYWHERE THAT QUICK.
I QUIT SCHOOL AT 6th GRADE.
Louann: I DON'T HAVE MANY CHOICES.
I NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
PAT BABY MAKES THE MONEY, AND I SPEND IT.
Narrator: BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY REASON
WHY LOUANN NEEDS PAT BABY.
Louann: IF I DON'T TAKE PAT BACK,
I WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE
TO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE TRAVELER COMMUNITY.
HE'LL ALWAYS BE THE GOOD GUY 'CAUSE THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES.
THE MEN NEVER CAN DO NO WRONG.
BUT IF I LEFT HIM, THEY WOULD JUST TURN THEIR BACK ON YOU.
THEY WOULDN'T THINK TWICE.
Narrator: EVEN THEIR 15-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, PRISCILLA,
IS BEING OUTCAST.
MY FAMILY MEMBERS ON MY DAD'S SIDE HAVE COMPLETELY SHUNNED ME.
IT JUST HURTS TO SEE THAT PEOPLE WILL GO AGAINST A CHILD.
I'M YOUR RELATIVE, NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO.
Narrator: TWO DAYS LATER,
PAT BABY IS RELEASED FROM PRISON,
AND LOUANN HAS DECIDED TO PICK HIM UP
AND GIVE HIM A PLACE TO STAY.
WELL, I FELT SUCH A BOND OF RESPONSIBILITY AFTER 17 YEARS.
CANNOT LET THIS MAN COME OUT TO NOTHING.
Pat Baby: I FEEL LIKE I'VE LOST EVERYTHING I'VE EVER HAD
IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
I LOST MY FAMILY.
BUT I'M READY TO TAKE MY LIFE BACK AND GRAB IT, YOU KNOW?
Narrator: COMING UP...
PAT BABY'S FIGHTING BACK.
BUT WILL HIS EX-MOTHER-IN-LAW EVER FORGIVE HIM?
OH, MY GOD!
AND A MOTHER CHOOSES TRADITION...
I WILL DISOWN YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, OKAY?
...OVER HER SON.
YOU HAVE DISGRACED ME!
WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!
WHY?!
Narrator: GYPSY BOYS
MUST GET THEIR MOM'S ACCEPTANCE BEFORE GETTING MARRIED.
EVEN THOUGH HE'S DEFYING GYPSY TRADITION BY MARRYING A MAN,
IVAN STILL WANTS HIS MOM'S APPROVAL.
I HOPE THAT I REACH OUT TO MY MOTHER.
SHE'S VERY IMPORTANT,
AND I HOPE SHE'S OKAY WITH ME GETTING MARRIED.
IF THIS DOESN'T WORK OUT,
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO DO HERE WITH YOUR MOM,
WHAT DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO?
I'M NOT GOOD AT GIVING UP.
AND IF I GAVE UP, I WOULD HAVE LOST YOU.
Narrator: IVAN BELIEVES HIS MOM ALREADY KNOWS HE'S GAY
AND IS HOPING SHE'LL ACCEPT THE MARRIAGE.
BUT AS THEY APPROACH, IT'S CLEAR SOMETHING IS WRONG.
HI, MAMA.
THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY GHOST.
IVAN.
I DON'T APPROVE OF YOU GETTING MARRIED.
I WILL DISOWN YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, OKAY?
NO. IT'S JUST THAT I DON'T BELIEVE IN GAYNESS.
YOU'RE COMING OUT WITH THIS TO THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.
DO YOU KNOW HOW PEOPLE ARE GONNA THINK ABOUT YOU?
YOU BEEN WITH THOMAS FOR YEARS.
I MEAN, THOMAS IS LIKE -- Y'ALL GOOD FRIENDS,
BUT I DIDN'T KNOW Y'ALL HAD A SEX THING GOING
'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW TWO MEN HAVE SEX.
MOTHER, I DON'T GIVE A [BLEEP]
QUIT YOUR LANGUAGE.
QUIT YOUR ATTITUDE. CHANGE YOUR TONE.
GET YOUR FINGER OUT OF MY FACE.
GET UP. MOVE. MOVE!
OH, MY GOD.
GET AWAY FROM ME.
I WANT YOU TO GET AWAY FROM ME.
YOU HAVE DISGRACED ME!
WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!
WHY?!
WHY ARE YOU HURTING ME LIKE THIS?!
COME BACK HERE!
MY MOTHER WAS VERY ANGRY, VERY UPSET.
I DIDN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.
I'VE NEVER SEEN HER ACT THAT WAY.
I MEAN, DAMN. NOW, SHE KNEW YOU WERE GAY.
I MEAN, COME ON.
SHE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL YOU GOT A GYPSY
AND NOT SOME DIRTY GORGER.
Narrator: TOMMY TRIES TO COMFORT HELEN.
WHY ARE YOU SO UPSET, HELEN?
HE KNOWS I DON'T APPROVE OF IT AND WILL NOT APPROVE OF IT.
BUT, HELEN, IT'S WHAT WE WANT.
BUT I DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT IT.
WHILE I WAS TALKING TO IVAN'S MOM,
I SEEN IVAN'S SISTER COMING UP FROM BEHIND.
TELL ME WHAT YOU WAS TELLING HER.
TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT?
TELL ME WHAT YOU WAS TELLING HER.
AND THEN I SEEN IVAN RUNNING AFTER HER.
DO NOT START YOUR [BLEEP] TONIGHT.
I'M NOT IN THE MOOD TONIGHT FOR WOMEN.
Y'ALL WANT TO ARGUE WITH A 70-YEAR-OLD WOMAN.
I'M NOT ARGUING WITH HER.
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
Tommy: IT GOT VERY AGGRESSIVE
BECAUSE I THINK THAT THEY KNOW THAT IVAN WASN'T PLAYING.
DO NOT PUSH HIM!
YOU HOMOSEXUAL, GO!
I REALLY THINK, DEEP DOWN INSIDE, THAT THEY THOUGHT
BY GIVING THEIR NEGATIVE OPINION AND ALL THEIR NASTY COMMENTS...
GO! YOU HOMOSEXUAL!
...WAS GONNA CHANGE HIS DECISION ABOUT ME.
GET OUT!
GET IT. GET IN.
I'M CHRISTIAN! GET AWAY!
[ SPITS ] [BLEEP] YOUR GYPSY [BLEEP]
GO! GO!
GO!
I LOVE MY SON.
I WOULD GET OUT THERE AND DIE FOR MY SON.
BUT FAR AS HOLDING UP FOR HIM BEING GAY? NO.
IT'S OUT OF THE QUESTION.
EVERYTHING MY MOTHER SAID AFFECTED ME.
IT MADE ME ANGRY, PISSED ME OFF,
MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS SO LITTLE.
I HOPE TO GET HER TO COME AROUND.
I STILL HAVE HOPE. THERE'S HOPE.
Narrator: IVAN'S EFFORTS TO WIN HIS FAMILY'S ACCEPTANCE
HAVE GROUND TO A HALT.
BUT PAT BABY'S FIGHT TO GET HIS EX-WIFE BACK
HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN.
Louann: I FILED FOR THE DIVORCE.
THEY SENT IT OVER TO THE JAIL, AND THEY HANDED IT TO HIM.
SO, I GOT A CALL, AND HE'S CRYING.
"THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT. THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT."
AND I SAID, "YEP. THAT'S WHAT I WANT."
Narrator: PAT BABY'S BAD-BOY LIFESTYLE
GOT OUT OF HAND WHEN HIS FATHER DIED SIX MONTHS AGO.
I WAS SO SELFISH AND SO INDULGENT INTO DRUGS
THAT I DIDN'T WANT NO HELP.
IT WAS A VERY BAD WAY TO DEAL WITH IT.
Narrator: BUT HE'S DETERMINED TO GET HIS LIFE BACK ON TRACK.
I COME OUT OF JAIL STRONGER THAN EVER,
AND THERE'S NO STOPPING ME NOW.
AND I'M GONNA REMARRY MY WIFE.
THAT'S ONE THING -- THAT'S THE TOP OF THE LIST.
HERE'S THE LIST.
THAT'S THE TOP OF THE LIST.
Narrator: BUT FOR PAT BABY TO WOO BACK LOUANN,
HE MUST FIRST WIN OVER ANOTHER WOMAN --
HIS EX-MOTHER-IN-LAW, KAREN.
WHEN I WALKED IN THE DOOR,
I NOTICED Y'ALL DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE HOUSE CLEANED UP.
WITHOUT MY MOTHER'S CONSENT ON ACCEPTING PAT BABY,
IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.
THERE WAS NO WAY.
I DID NOT WANT HER
GETTING BACK WITH PAT.
PAT HAS DONE SO MUCH HURTFUL THINGS
IN FRONT OF HIS CHILDREN AND IN FRONT OF ME.
Narrator: PAT BABY'S GOING
TO WIN BACK HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW, GYPSY-STYLE.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST RING IN THERE?
GIVE ME THAT ONE.
Pat Baby: I'M TRYING TO BUY MY WAY
INTO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S HEART A LITTLE BIT.
A ROMANICHAL MOTHER-IN-LAW
HAS ALL THE CONTROL OVER THE RELATIONSHIP.
SHE RUNS THE RELATIONSHIP.
WHEN I LAST SEEN KAREN,
SHE REMEMBERED THE GUY THAT WAS NOT THE NICE GUY.
I DIDN'T KNOW HOW SHE'D REACT.
[ DOORBELL RINGS ]
Louann: SOMEBODY'S AT THE DOOR FOR YOU.
SORRY.
OH, MY GOD!
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN BEG SOMEBODY
IS TO GET ON YOUR KNEES AND SHOW HOW MUCH I AM SORRY.
THANK YOU, JESUS.
[ SMOOCHES ]
IT WASN'T YOU, PAT.
BUT I SURE DIDN'T LIKE THAT PERSON YOU WAS.
NOT ME NOW.
THIS IS ME NOW -- THE NEW, IMPROVED PAT BABY.
THE TIME HE DID SPEND IN JAIL, HE HAD A WAKE-UP CALL --
A BIG WAKE-UP CALL.
SO I THINK HE'S GONNA TRY WITH ALL OF HIS HEART
TO CHANGE HIS LIFE.
I GOT MY BOY BACK, LOUANN.
YOU GOT YOUR HUSBAND.
Louann: I SEEN SOMETHING IN HIS EYES
I HADN'T SEEN IN A LONG TIME.
HE REALIZED HE MADE MISTAKES.
AND I BURNED ALL MY BRIDGES.
I AIN'T GOT NO MORE LUMBER TO BUILD NO MORE.
ALL HE CAN DO IN LIFE IS BE A BETTER MAN,
AND THAT'S WHAT HE'S BECOME -- A BETTER MAN.
Pat Baby: YEAH, I ACCOMPLISHED A LITTLE SOMETHING.
I CAN'T HELP THAT THE DEVIL CAME INTO MY LIFE, YOU KNOW?
ALL I CAN DO IS APOLOGIZE FOR IT.
NOW THE NEXT THING TO HAPPEN IS PROPOSE TO MY GIRL LOUANN
AND SEE IF SHE'LL ACCEPT.
THIS IS OLD-SCHOOL ROMANICHAL STYLE.
WOULD YOU MARRY ME, LOUANN?
HE REMEMBERED THE SIMPLE TIMES THAT MADE US SMILE.
IF HE CAN DO THAT AFTER ALL HE'S BEEN THROUGH,
I COULD HAVE NEVER SAID NO.
AT THE END OF THE DAY,
A GYPSY WOMAN STANDS BY HER GYPSY MAN, NO MATTER WHAT.
Narrator: COMING UP...
HE CAN GO RIDE HISSELF.
Narrator: BELLA ROSA'S CHRISTENING
IS FALLING APART.
STOP. I DON'T WANT TO [BLEEP] TALK ABOUT THIS NO MORE.
Narrator: WILL LOUANN MAKE IT TO THE CHURCH ON TIME?
Louann: I GOT TO GO.
NO ANSWER.
Narrator: LOUANN'S EX-HUSBAND, PAT BABY,
HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM PRISON,
AND SHE'S GIVING HIM ANOTHER CHANCE.
THEY ARE ABOUT TO RE-TIE THE KNOT.
Woman: HI!
JUST BECAUSE I'M OLD
DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T DESERVE TO HAVE A WEDDING.
Narrator: THEY WERE FIRST MARRIED 17 YEARS AGO,
BUT NOW AT 32,
SHE'S ABOUT TO GET THE WEDDING SHE'S ALWAYS DREAMT OF.
YOU HAVE TO ROMANICHAL ALL THIS.
YOUR *** ARE LOOKING GOOD.
IS THERE ANY LIMIT TO WHAT I CAN DO TO YOU?
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: HAVING IMAGINED THIS DAY FOR SO LONG,
LOUANN KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT SHE WANTS,
SO SHE'S HIRED MAKEUP ARTIST NISHA TO WORK HER MAGIC.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW?
I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA THROW UP.
YOU ARE?
YOU ARE ONE HOT GRANDMA.
ARE YOU READY TO SEE YOUR EYES?
I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.
YOU ARE GOOD.
I KNOW. RIGHT? [ LAUGHS ]
IT'S 3:00 P.M., AND OVER AT THE WEDDING VENUE,
THE NERVOUS GROOM IS READY TO ROLL,
BUT HIS BRIDE IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN.
NO ANSWER.
Narrator: AND HE'S TRYING NOT TO GET TOO STRESSED.
THAT'S DELICIOUS.
[ BREATHES DEEPLY ] OH, MAN.
Narrator: AFTER FOUR HOURS OF HAIR AND MAKEUP,
A PAMPERED LOUANN IS FINALLY READY TO LEAVE.
I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO BEGIN TO GET IN.
OKAY. THIS IS NOT FUNNY.
Woman: DUCK YOUR HEAD DOWN
LIKE YOU'RE BEING ATTACKED.
AAH.
JUST THE WINE IN HERE.
IT'S 5:00 P.M., AND LOUANN IS RUNNING TWO HOURS LATE,
BUT HER HUSBAND-TO-BE ISN'T THE ONLY MAN ON HER MIND.
I THINK I'M MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO MY DANCE WITH MY DADDY.
MY DAD JUST GOT OUT OF PRISON NOT TOO LONG AGO.
HE HAS A CURFEW. HE HAS TO BE HOME BY 8:00.
YES, THIS IS THE MOMENT OF THE MILLENNIUM RIGHT HERE.
IT IS GOING TO BE GOING OFF LIKE A BOOM.
Woman: YAY! WE'RE HERE.
Woman #2: YAY!
Narrator: AFTER THE WORST YEAR OF HER LIFE,
LOUANN CAN FINALLY MOVE ON WITH HER DREAM WEDDING.
AND HER DAD IS THERE TO WALK HER DOWN THE AISLE.
Louann: AS I WAS WALKING,
ALL OUR PROBLEMS KIND OF WENT BEHIND ME,
AND I KEPT WALKING FORWARD.
WHEN I SAW PAT STANDING THERE AT THE ALTAR
AND I SEEN THE EFFORT HE WENT THROUGH TO SHOW ME HIS LOVE,
I KNEW IT WAS GONNA BE A NEW BEGINNING.
LET US PRAY.
Pat Baby: IF ANYBODY ON EARTH
DESERVES TO WALK DOWN IN THAT WHITE DRESS
AND BEAUTIFUL LIKE LOUANN DID, IT'S HER.
DO YOU, PAT BABY,
TAKE THIS WOMAN TO BE YOUR LAWFUL WEDDED WIFE,
TO LOVE AND RESPECT HER SO LONG AS YOU BOTH SHALL LIVE?
I MIGHT.
I DO.
[ LAUGHTER ]
AND DO YOU, LOUANN,
SOLEMNLY AGREE TO RECEIVE THIS MAN
AS YOUR LAWFUL WEDDED HUSBAND
SO LONG AS YOU BOTH SHALL LIVE?
Louann: YES, I DO.
YOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
Man: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU
THE GROOM AND HIS LOVELY BRIDE, PAT BABY AND LOUANN!
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
Louann: I KNEW FROM THAT MOMENT ON THAT IT WAS ON.
IT WAS PERFECT.
COULDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING BETTER.
Narrator: BECAUSE OF LOUANN'S FATHER'S PAROLE RESTRICTIONS,
HE CAN'T STAY, SO PAT BABY ALLOWS HIM THE FIRST DANCE.
Louann: YEAH, I CAN DANCE WITH PAT ANYTIME,
BUT THE DANCE BETWEEN ME AND MY FATHER MEANT THE WORLD TO ME.
Narrator: BUT SOON ENOUGH, HE GETS HIS CHANCE
TO GET CLOSE TO HIS NEW BRIDE.
YOU GET YOUR FACE OUT OF MY [BLEEP]
[ LAUGHS ]
THE WEDDING WAS REALLY EMOTIONAL,
I THINK, FOR EVERYBODY,
BUT IT WENT EXACTLY AS PLANNED,
AND EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY.
Narrator: SECOND TIME AROUND, AND LOUANN HAS NO REGRETS.
Louann: I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE
THAT COULD MAKE PAT BABY HAPPY BESIDES ME.
LETTING HIM GO RIGHT NOW
WOULD BE A WASTE OF 16 YEARS OF MY LIFE,
SO WHY NOT START AGAIN AND DO 16 MORE, AND WE GET MARRIED AGAIN?
IN 16 MORE, WE'LL GET MARRIED AGAIN.
BUT THE DRESSES MIGHT GET BIGGER.
I DON'T KNOW.
I COULD HAVE A TON OF WEDDINGS,
BUT THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE MAN FOR ME.
Narrator: COMING UP...
MOM!
TOMMY KEEPS A-KNOCKING...
HELLO?
...BUT THE DOORS AREN'T UNLOCKING.
KNOCK AGAIN.
AND ANGELINA HAS TO MAKE THE HARDEST CALL OF HER LIFE.
WHENEVER YOU SHUN MY DAUGHTER, BASICALLY, GO [BLEEP] YOURSELF.
Narrator: IN GEORGIA, ANGELINA'S TRYING TO WIN ACCEPTANCE
FROM HER GYPSY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
PRETTY GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?
THEY DISOWNED HER WHEN SHE MARRIED AN OUTSIDER, CHAD.
WHEN YOU SHOW UP, YOU'LL SEE WHAT WE'RE WEARING.
SHE'S PLANNED A GYPSY CHRISTENING
FOR HER DAUGHTER, BELLA ROSE,
AND ANGELINA'S HOPING ALL HER FAMILY IS GOING TO BE THERE.
...OR ASHLEY AND HER HUSBAND,
MY BROTHER, MY SISTER-IN-LAW, MY FATHER,
THEY'LL BE THERE.
Angelina: I'VE SENT OUT INVITATIONS.
I'VE GOT AT LEAST 15 YESES.
Narrator: HER BROTHER NELSON HAS AGREED TO BE THE GODFATHER.
Angelina: I KNOW I'LL ALWAYS HAVE MY BROTHER,
BUT EVERYBODY ELSE -- YOU KNOW, IT'S --
THE RESULTS ARE REALLY GONNA SHOW THIS WEEKEND AT THIS PARTY
WHO MY REAL FRIENDS ARE.
Narrator: ON THE MORNING OF THE CHRISTENING,
ANGELINA CAN'T REACH HER BROTHER ON THE PHONE.
Angelina: IS HE PLANNING ON COMING TODAY OR WHAT?
Narrator: SO SHE CALLS HER DAD.
Angelina: WELL, IT KIND OF IS A BIG DEAL
WHENEVER SOMEBODY'S GONNA BE THE GODPARENT
AND THEN THEY BAIL OUT ON THAT DAY.
SO IT REALLY DOES SHOW THAT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MY DAUGHTER,
SO THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY GOT TO DO.
LET NELSON KNOW HE AIN'T GOT NO SISTER.
HE AIN'T GOT NO NIECE.
HE CAN GO RIDE HISSELF.
THAT'S HOW I FEEL.
HE AIN'T NO BROTHER OF MINE.
HE BAILS OUT ON ME THIS MORNING
WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE PARTY?
HE CAN GO DO WHAT HE GOT TO DO. I AIN'T GOT NOTHING FOR HIM.
HE LET ME DOWN, BIG-TIME.
HE LET ME [BLEEP] DOWN.
STOP. I DON'T WANT TO [BLEEP] TALK ABOUT THIS NO MORE.
YOU DIDN'T WANT TO BE YOUR NIECE'S GODFATHER?
SO, BASICALLY, YOU'RE TELLING ME
YOU DON'T WANT NO PART OF HER OR HER LIFE.
CHAD BEING AN OUTSIDER OUTWEIGHS THE LOVE FOR MY DAUGHTER.
THAT'S HOW I FEEL.
Narrator: ANGELINA IS DOWN BUT NOT OUT.
SHE STILL BELIEVES THAT THE CHRISTENING
WILL WIN OVER SOME OF HER FAMILY.
IT'S ON, BABE.
[ LAUGHS ]
LOOK HOW PRETTY.
Angelina: HOPEFULLY WHOEVER COMES SEES BELLA ROSA'S DRESS.
THEY'RE GONNA SEE THAT I HAVEN'T ABANDONED THE GYPSY WAY.
THEY'RE GONNA SEE THAT I'M STILL STANDING WITH IT.
[ SQUEALS ]
Narrator: TOMMY AND IVAN
ARE ALSO TRYING TO DO THINGS THE GYPSY WAY.
THEY WANT FAMILY AT THEIR WEDDING,
BUT IVAN'S RELATIVES HAVE DISOWNED HIM.
SO THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED NEAR TOMMY'S FAMILY IN WEST VIRGINIA,
HOPING THAT THEY'LL ACCEPT THEM.
BYE!
IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO GET APPROVAL FROM MY FAMILY.
WE'RE HERE!
AND MY PARENTS LIVE RIGHT HERE.
THERE'S THE DUMP TRUCKS, ALL THE PAINT EQUIPMENT.
THAT'S HOW THEY MAKE THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
THAT'S WHAT I USED TO DO.
LOVE YOU.
I LOVE YOU, TOO. JUST HOLD ON.
GOOD LUCK.
[ KNOCKING ]
MOM! DAD!
HELLO? ANYBODY HOME?
HELLO!
I WAS DEVASTATED,
AND I REALLY THOUGHT THAT MY FAMILY
WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE WELCOMING TO ME.
HELLO.
IT REALLY DID BOTHER ME, BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WAS COMING.
I FEEL VERY UPSET, AND I'M PISSED OFF.
YEAH, MY DAD HAS SUCH AN OPINION OF HOW THINGS SHOULD BE,
BUT HE NEVER WANTS TO HEAR MY OPINION OR THOUGHTS.
Narrator: WITH HIS MOM AND DAD NOT ANSWERING THE DOOR,
TOMMY AND IVAN HEAD TO HIS BROTHER'S.
WISH ME LUCK.
HERE WE GO AGAIN, DADDY.
[ KNOCKING ]
HEY!
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS.
KNOCK AGAIN.
[ KNOCKING ]
COME ON, YOU GUYS.
Tommy: ALL I WANT THEM TO DO IS COME TO A WEDDING.
I CAN'T GET THEM TO ANSWER THEIR PHONES OR ANYTHING,
AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
I DON'T.
Narrator: BUT THAT EVENING, THE SHUNNED COUPLE GET A CALL.
SOMEBODY WANTS TO SPEAK TO THEM.
HEY, MOTHER.
Trudy: HEY.
HEY, MOTHER.
TOMMY'S MOM HAS GONE AGAINST HER HUSBAND
TO MEET WITH HER SON IN SECRET.
YOU KNOW I DON'T APPROVE OF IT,
BUT THIS IS MY SON.
I'M NOT GONNA, YOU KNOW, GO AGAINST HIM
FOR ANYTHING HE DOES.
I'M NOT ALL FOR IT.
HIS FATHER'S DEFINITELY NOT FOR IT.
YEAH.
WILL YOU COME TO OUR WEDDING?
YEAH. I GUESS I WILL.
[ LAUGHS ]
YOU CAN TALK THEM INTO IT.
YOU'D BE PROBABLY THE FIRST MOTHER
IN A GYPSY MOVEMENT TO ACCEPT US.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: IN GEORGIA, IT'S A BIG DAY FOR A LITTLE GIRL.
BELLA ROSE'S CHRISTENING
IS THE LAST CHANCE FOR THE GYPSY COMMUNITY
TO ACCEPT ANGELINA, CHAD, AND THEIR DAUGHTER.
Angelina: I HOPE A LOT OF PEOPLE COME.
THIS IS EVEN BIGGER THAN ME GETTING MARRIED.
IT REALLY IS.
Narrator: OUTSIDE THE CHURCH,
BELLA ROSE AND HER PROUD PARENTS GET A WARM RECEPTION.
YOU TAKING A PICTURE?
YES, MA'AM.
Narrator: CHAD KNOWS HIS FRIENDS AND GORGER FAMILY FROM FLORIDA
AREN'T COMING, BUT THEY'RE HOPING FOR A BIG GYPSY TURNOUT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, ANGELINA. GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAD.
A READING FROM THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS.
THE CHURCH IS FULL OF THE CATHOLIC CONGREGATION,
BUT OF ALL THE GUESTS INVITED,
ONLY CHAD'S STEPFATHER AND ANGELINA'S DAD HAVE MADE IT.
[ APPLAUSE ]
Chad: WE THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA, YOU KNOW,
KIND OF RAIN ON OUR PARADE,
BUT AS SOON AS WE JUST ENTERED THE HOUSE OF GOD
AND INTO THE CHURCH,
JUST IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYTHING LEFT US,
AND THEN WE REALIZED WHY WE WERE THERE.
WE WERE THERE FOR BELLA ROSE AND HER BAPTISM.
WE'RE EXTREMELY HAPPY, EXTREMELY HAPPY.
Narrator: AND THERE IS ONE LAST CHANCE
FOR BELLA ROSE TO MEET HER GYPSY FAMILY --
AT HER CHRISTENING PARTY.
Chad: WHEN WE WALKED IN THERE,
WE WERE ALSO STILL HOPING THAT THIS PLACE
WAS GONNA BE MAYBE SURPRISINGLY FILLED.
Angelina: LOOKS PRETTY EMPTY IN HERE, HUH?
YEP.
YEAH, NO ONE CAME.
FOR MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER,
THAT WAS A GREAT SLAP IN THE FACE.
Angelina: THIS WAS ABOUT MY DAUGHTER.
WHENEVER I INVITE YOU TO MY DAUGHTER'S BAPTISM
AND YOU SHUN MY DAUGHTER, BASICALLY GO [BLEEP] YOURSELF.
YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT SHUNNED IS?
YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT.
INSTEAD OF US GOING FROM TABLE TO TABLE
AND SHOWING HER OFF, WE'RE IN FRONT OF POP.
AS LONG AS SHE'S HAPPY AND YOU'RE HAPPY, THEN I'M HAPPY.
WE GOT TO GO THERE.
Narrator: IT'S TIME FOR A FRESH START.
THE FAMILY ARE GOING TO RELOCATE
TO CHAD'S HOMETOWN OF JACKSONVILLE.
Angelina: WE'RE MOVING TO FLORIDA --
STARTING OVER, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, START A NEW LIFE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
Chad: NEXT STOP'S A NEW BEGINNING, A NEW LIFE,
A NEW STEP, A NEW STATE, YOU KNOW,
AND JUST CONTINUE ON WITH OUR FAMILY.
Narrator: COMING UP...
I LOVE YOU, THOMAS STANLEY!
IT'S THE FIRST GAY-MALE GYPSY WEDDING.
DAMN!
BUT BEFORE TOMMY CAN SAY "I DO"...
I REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE FIGHTING MY BROTHER.
Narrator: ...HE HAS ONE LAST STAND TO MAKE.
[ Voice breaking ] I JUST WANT IT OUT.
Narrator: IT'S THE MORNING
OF TOMMY AND IVAN'S GAY GYPSY WEDDING.
HOW ARE YOU? I'M GOOD.
THE WEDDING IS AT AROUND 3:00.
Narrator: TOMMY'S COMMISSIONED THEIR SUITS
FROM TOP GYPSY DRESS DESIGNER SONDRA CELLI,
BUT IVAN DOESN'T KNOW THAT SHE'S DELIVERING THEM BY HAND.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
HEY!
WHO'S THAT?
THANKS FOR INVITING ME.
OH, MY [BLEEP] GOD.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
SERIOUS.
Ivan: I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
OH, MY GOD!
IT'S REALLY RARE THAT GAY GYPSIES ARE GETTING MARRIED,
LET ALONE HAVING A PARTY AND A WEDDING AND FAMILY COMING,
AND SO IT'S REALLY UNUSUAL.
THIS IS SO MUCH FUN.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT BOX.
RIGHT. WE CAN OPEN THE BOX.
WELL, BEFORE YOU OPEN IT, I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT.
I'M GONNA GO. SO, I'LL LET YOU GUYS DO THIS.
I'M NOT LETTING YOU SEE IT.
OKAY, GOOD. ALL RIGHT. I'LL BE BACK.
YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME. I'M NERVOUS.
THAT'S GOOD.
SEE YOU LATER.
Narrator: SO THAT THEY DON'T SEE EACH OTHER'S OUTFITS,
TOMMY LEAVES HIS GROOM
TO GET READY WITH SONDRA AND BEST MAN JOE.
Sondra: WHAT DO YOU THINK? BLACK ON BLACK.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?
[ Laughing ] LOOK AT YOU!
YOU LOOK GREAT!
Ivan: DAMN.
LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO SAY G.D., BUT DAMN!
Narrator: NOW IT'S TOMMY'S TURN TO GET BLINGED UP.
MINK, STONES, PURPLE, AND GOLD.
OH, MY GOD, HON.
YOU DID AN AWESOME JOB.
[ LAUGHS ]
I LOVE IT!
OH. WE'RE GONNA TRY IT ON!
OKAY.
TA-DA!
IT'S GREAT.
YEAH, AND YOUR *** LOOKS GREAT.
THAT'S WHAT YOU WANTED.
THAT'S WHAT I WANTED!
JUST WHEN EVERYTHING WAS GOING SO WELL,
TOMMY FINDS OUT HIS BROTHER
HAS TRIED TO PREVENT HIS MOM FROM ATTENDING THE WEDDING.
ALL RIGHT. I'LL SEE YOU AT THE VENUE.
HE'S DRIVEN OFF IN HER CAR, LEAVING HER STRANDED AT HOME.
MY BROTHER'S KIND OF THROWN A WRENCH IN IT.
HE TOOK THE VEHICLE THAT MY MOTHER WAS SUPPOSED TO COME IN,
SO I'M JUST GONNA TAKE THIS CHANCE TO GET MY MOM,
GET HER IN HERE, AND GO.
AND I REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE FIGHTING MY BROTHER
DRESSED LIKE THIS.
HOPE I DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.
Narrator: BUT WHEN TOMMY ARRIVES,
IT'S NOT JUST HIS MOM WAITING FOR HIM.
SHE'S PERSUADED LOTS OF THE FAMILY TO COME ALONG,
INCLUDING THREE OF TOMMY'S SISTERS.
[ LAUGHS ]
YOU LOOK NICE.
YOU ARE BLINGED OUT, BOY!
YEAH.
Tommy: I WAS ECSTATIC.
IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME,
AND A BIG WEIGHT HAS BEEN LIFTED OFF MY SHOULDERS.
THE GANG'S ALL HERE.
LET'S GO.
GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!
I'M VERY, VERY HAPPY THAT ALL OF YOU GUYS ARE HERE.
ALL OF YOU ALL ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.
I KNOW. I KNOW.
I KIND OF KNEW THOMAS WAS GAY, EVEN WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER,
BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN THINGS THAT HE ACTED OR HE DID,
BUT I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO ACCEPT IT, I GUESS.
IT FELT GOOD HAVING SOME OF MY FAMILY TO BACK ME,
BUT THERE WAS ONE THING THAT I NEEDED TO DO --
WAS TO TELL THEM THAT I WAS GAY.
[ Voice breaking ] I JUST WANT IT OUT.
AND I AM WHO I AM.
THAT'S IT. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
I WANT TO MOVE ON PAST THIS,
THE "GAY" THING AND THE "***" THING AND ALL THAT.
I JUST...
IT'S HISTORY.
YOU'VE COME OUT NOW.
I AM WHO I AM.
I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.
RIGHT. YEAH. I KNOW.
WELL, IT'S OVER WITH NOW.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
I LOVE YOU.
I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE GAY OR WHAT, SO...
Narrator: IT'S A BIG MOMENT FOR TOMMY
AND A MILESTONE FOR GYPSIES.
Tommy: AH! YOU GUYS READY?
Woman: READY.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S DO THIS.
NONE OF IVAN'S OWN FAMILY HAVE COME TO THE WEDDING,
BUT TOMMY'S FAMILY TREAT HIM LIKE ONE OF THEIR OWN.
YES.
AND HOW THEY JUST GAVE ME THEIR, LIKE, BLESSING
AND, YOU KNOW, SO SUPPORTIVE, I FELT VERY AT HOME.
THOMAS WALKED THROUGH THE ROOM. HE LOOKED SO AMAZING.
HE LOOKED VERY BEAUTIFUL.
I WAS SO, SO NERVOUS, BUT I COULD NOT WAIT TO MARRY HIM.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY, WE ARE GATHERED HERE AT THIS HOUR...
Tommy: I SEEN HIM START TO TEAR UP,
AND I FELT THAT HE WAS SO NERVOUS.
HE JUST REASSURED ME, LIKE, THAT HE LOVED ME,
AND THOMAS GAVE ME STRENGTH.
IVAN, REPEAT AFTER ME.
YES, MA'AM.
I PROMISE TO LOVE YOU...
I PROMISE I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.
...TO BE A COMFORT AND SAFE HAVEN IN YOUR LIFE...
...TO HOLD YOU CLOSE...
WELL, I'LL ALWAYS HOLD YOU.
I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL GYPSY GAY MEN
OUT THERE IN AMERICA,
AND I WANT THEM TO SEE THAT WHAT IVAN AND I ARE DOING,
THEY CAN DO,
AND IN THE END, IT'LL ALL WORK OUT.
AND EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, AND THEY'LL BE HAPPY.
[ CLICKS TONGUE ]
YOU MAY NOW KISS.
[ CHUCKLES ]
[ APPLAUSE ]
THE MOMENT YOU GET MARRIED, YOU LOOK IN YOUR LOVER'S EYES,
AND YOU JUST TELL THEM
THAT, YOU KNOW, "WE'RE MARRIED. WE'RE HAPPY."
IT'S THE FEELING I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD EXPERIENCE.
HEY!
Trudy: YOU KNOW, BEING GAY AND BEING A GYPSY
AND COMING OUT WITH IT PUBLICLY
AND, YOU KNOW, SHOWING WHAT YOU ARE IS A REALLY BIG THING.
IT REALLY IS.
THEY WERE REALLY BRAVE FOR DOING IT.
THEY REALLY ARE.
WHOO!
JUST MARRIED! OW!
Tommy: I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IN A MILLION YEARS
THAT I WOULD BE LEAVING WEST VIRGINIA TODAY
WITH A MAN THAT I LOVE MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD.
GYPSIES! WHOO!
JUST MARRIED, BABY!
I'M THE MOST HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE,
AND IF I CAN DO IT, ANYBODY CAN DO THIS.
[ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
[ LAUGHS ]