Many of the readers on Bilerico know that my partner, Anthony Niedwiecki, and I were married in California this summer. I posted about the entire experience, from our initial decision to marry in California to the wedding day itself. I even blogged about our honeymoon (well, parts of it...).
That's why when I found out it was "Write to Marry Day", a national day for bloggers to join in opposing California's Proposition 8, I wanted to make sure I added my voice to the chorus.
This is a very personal fight to me. Our wedding day in California was one of the most special days in my life. It felt like the entire city was congratulating us everywhere we went. While my husband and I have been together for many years (and have our civil union from Vermont and shared a commitment ceremony with our families- the "rainbow marriage tour" as our loved ones call it), California was something special for us.
I think that living in a state like Florida, that is hostile to LGBT people on so many levels, only makes it more important to keep marriage equality in California. Since we live in a state that doesn't recognize marriage for same-sex couples, our getting married in California didn't have a direct, legal impact on our lives. We returned home to our state as the same strangers in the eyes of the law that we were before. So why did we do it?
Because it means something to us.
It gives us hope, as we fight our own fierce battle in Florida against the devastating Amendment 2 (that would not only put the ban marriage equality in the state constitution but also repeal domestic partnerships and benefits), that our community might one day be able to move forward.
Victory in California will mean more than just keeping the right to marry for our community that lives in that state. It will also give hope and inspiration for others, like me, who live in states that still have so much further to go.
A victory in California will also continue to allow people in other states, even where their marriages aren't legally recognized, to return home and become examples in their local communities. It gives couples the opportunity to show those in their lives - friends, neighbors, and colleagues - that there's nothing dangerous and scary about same-sex marriage. We are just two people in love who want to share a life together.
Let's do all we can to defeat Prop 8, as well as Prop 102 in Arizona and Amendment 2 in my home state of Florida.
We could all use a little more hope for the future...
Share
Like what you read? Subscribe to The Bilerico Project by Email.
Want others to read it too? Use the buttons and links here to share this entry with others. (Move your cursor over a button or link to learn more about it.)
5 Comments
« DNC condemns Indiana anti-gay campaign mailing | Home | Labor Support For No on 8 Goes Beyond $$$ »
Wonderful words, best wishes to both of you.
p.s. Do either of you have a single, gay brother?
SammySeattle | October 29, 2008 8:04 PM
Reply to this comment
Thanks for the well wishes! Let's hope we can defeat all of these amendments!
And sorry- neither of us have gay siblings. ;)
Waymon Hudson | October 30, 2008 12:20 AM
Reply to this comment
If any straight brothers are as cute as the two of you, I'd be willing to take one for the team. :)
The two of you are such a cute couple. I loved meeting you earlier this year.
Bil Browning | October 30, 2008 11:19 AM
Reply to this comment
Aww, shucks. You even make this sour puss les-bean a little misty eyed. You're too damn cute!
And can I say that you're the inspiration for our recent craziness. You know what I'm talking about. ;^)
Serena Freewomyn | October 30, 2008 11:54 AM
Reply to this comment
oh, california!
Alex Blaze | October 30, 2008 9:37 PM
Reply to this comment