Barb Goldstein & Ann Willoughby
Barb and Ann Goldstein have been together for more than four decades. They now call five children, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren their family. They shared their story with LGBTQ Nation in June 2025.
The LGBTQ Nation story said: “The longtime companions had recently become involved with the Campaign for Southern Equality, and with two other couples tried to secure a marriage license at City Hall in Durham, ‘knowing we’d be turned down.’ The action earned headlines in the Raleigh News & Observer, along with a large photo of the pair on the front page.”
Barb said, “There are many more supporters than there used to be, and we all must continue to persist. We must do everything we can to prevent losing the gains we’ve made.”
Asked what the favorite thing about her wife is — and vice versa — Goldstein says, “That’s tough. Because after all these years, we know so much about each other. For me, I think it might be Ann’s loyalty and commitment. And as I’m typing this, Ann echoes my feelings, saying, ‘your steady support.'”
“We’re just happy to have had all this time together,” says Goldstein, “and to still have each other’s backs.”
Barb and Ann in 1982