Marriage Equality and Our Anniversary

Hearty and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary this past Wednesday, July 26.  We had already been together 8 years when we got married, and the decision to legally get hitched was not an easy one to make.  One of the main reasons that we were reluctant was the exclusivity of the benefits of marriage to couples like us, a man and a woman, and that so many of our friends were not allowed to enjoy those privileges. 

Well, I’m pleased to say that this year we received one of the best anniversary presents ever, as the Supreme Court struck down a central portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and dismissed the case to reinstate Proposition 8, therefore restoring the ability of same-sex couples to marry in California.

Tom & Doug juggling knives & fire around us on our wedding day

This is a huge victory.  I am not going to pretend that marriage equality is the be all and end all of causes as far as discrimination and prejudice go in this country or the world, and we still have a long way to go to dismantle the systematic discrimination that still exists along race, class and gender lines.  For now, though, I will celebrate this win, then get up and keep working towards peace in the world and equality for all.

As a Life-Cycle Celebrant, I am proud to serve *all* couples who wish to express their love and commitment with a personal, unique, meaningful ceremony.   I am thrilled to be able to once again offer *legal* ceremonies in California for all couples who want to legally wed.    I am so lucky to get to do this work, and share the power of honoring life-cycle transitions consciously and authentically.