Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Our Marriage Equality Statement

There was absolutely no question over whether or not we were going to make a public statement on marriage equality during our ceremony.  I specifically asked Mike to write it, and we both agreed that the perfect person to read it was Mike's sister Amanda.  Amanda is a reporter for TBD in D.C., where writes a daily column about sex and gender - basically Carrie Bradshaw minus the Manolo's, plus the intelligence.  So we figured she would be the most fitting choice.  And we were so very right. 
Mike's sister Amanda said our Marriage Equality statement AND walked her brother down the aisle.... awwww!
Our officiant said, "Now the groom's sister would like to make a statement on the couples' behalf."  Amanda then stepped forward and read the following:

Mike and Britt want to acknowledge that the joy they feel today is contrasted with empathy for those families whose unions the state refuses to recognize out of bigotry.  As Brittany will readily attest to - not every marriage is about biological procreation. And, as we can see from their antics this evening, a couple’s heterosexuality is no indicator of their responsibility for young children. It is time for this injustice to end.

And then the greatest thing happened.  Everyone clapped and cheered! Which was so wonderful... on so many levels. 

Are you planning on making a marriage equality statement during your ceremony?  And if you've done so at your wedding already, how did it go over with the crowd? 
Posted by Britt at 8:39 AM

12 comments:

  1. Awww, man!! I wish I would have done that at our wedding! I commend you guys for speaking out for equality for those who are being cock-blocked by the state. I AGREE AGREE AGREE with what yall did and I love you both!!

    ReplyDelete

  3. Ha! I follow her on Twitter! That's so cool. I had no idea she was Mike's sister.

    We made a marriage equality statement in our ceremony, but it wasn't as overt as yours. Our circle (well, Josh's) is a bit more conservative and small town than yours, so we didn't want to turn it into a big issue. Although I do wish I had the balls to scream it out at my ceremony. But we did say the following:

    "Emily and Josh are excited to embark on this adventure together and feel very fortunate to make this journey with one another. Throughout history and still today, not everyone is free to commit themselves to the one they love. For this reason, we are thankful for what brought us here and one day hope that everyone will be able to enjoy a celebration like ours."

    People who were really paying attention probably got what we were trying to say, but those just passively listening probably missed it. Next to my vows, this made me the most emotional during our ceremony. I think I nearly passed out because I was so overcome with emotion hearing our officiant (who is gay) read it.

    ReplyDelete

  4. We got married by my gay Rabbi. I told her I wanted to specifically say something and asked her what she recommended. She wrote a beautiful little speech (a few sentences, nice, short and to the point like yours) about how on this, our happiest of days, we still could not be perfectly happy because of those who were denied the same happiness. Jewish ceremonies begin and end with drinking wine (full to overflowing to symbolize our new lives together) which we diminished by removing wine with our pinkies before drinking it.

    I was worried that my Texan MIL might flip about it, but I think she was more upset that her son was announced as Firstname Middle MyLastName HisLastName. My aunt and cousins complimented me on it, saying they really enjoyed the ceremony and that part especially.

    In the end, it was one of the things I was most proud of at my whole wedding.

    ReplyDelete

  5. I LOVE this! Bravo to you two!!!

    ReplyDelete

  6. I got chills reading this, what a fucking amazing reaction from the crowd!

    ReplyDelete

  7. Wow what a great idea! Love the statement you made!

    ReplyDelete

  8. Your sister-in-law is Amanda Hess? I... ah... !!! Your life is hogging all the cool.

    ReplyDelete

  9. love this! we didn't have a statement, but we did have white ribbons for folks to wear and a sign saying "we believe everyone should have the right to tie the knot."

    and your SIL's haircut is WAY cute. and that gingham dress?! WAY CUTE!

    ReplyDelete

  10. That is so wonderful that you guys included this! And so refreshing to hear that everyone supported the message. Sadly I've heard of other couples making a similar statement and having their guests walk out.

    ReplyDelete

  11. We're having someone read either a segment of the Massachusetts court decision about civil marriage or Plato's stuff about the origin of love. (The song from Hedwig and the Angry Inch is based on that Plato piece.) If someone walks out, I'll be glad that we don't have to share our cake with bigoted buttheads.

    Sparklekitty

    ReplyDelete

  12. On behalf of my wife* and I, thanks ;)

    *It was legal in Canada where we got married, it just didn't export when we came back home. I have faith ;)

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)