Love wins.

May 19, 2014 · 11 comments

honeybee on crimson clover // Wayward Spark

I don’t really know how to say this, but I’ve been feeling happy and proud and thankful and generally pretty sappy all afternoon because same-sex marriage finally became legal in the state of Oregon today. There was a part of me that wanted to go down to the county courthouse and wave an American flag or join in one of the big weddings/parties in Portland or Eugene, but instead I sanded down a pile of cutting boards, went on a long run, hugged my kids, and ate dinner with my family with a big smile on my face.

I don’t often bring my personal politics to this space. That’s partly because I want to welcome folks of all opinions and partly because there are very few contentious social or political issues on which I stand squarely and unwaveringly on one side or the other (Vaccines: PRO, Death Penalty: ANTI). Marriage equality, however, is too close to me and too obviously the right policy for society for me to ignore or keep my mouth shut on the subject. I am one of those older millennials with tons of friends and family members in the LGBT community (L, G, B, and T), and the only thing I’ve been confused about for years is why my queer people are treated any differently than all my straight friends and family members.

Today is a great day to be an Oregonian, but for those of you living in states without marriage equality (yet), know that your day is coming soon. The tide has turned, and if we all keep fighting the good fight and sharing the good news, it can’t be long before all loving partnerships and families can be legally recognized. Here’s to hoping the next generation of Americans can grow up with all this discrimination in the past.

In related news, my friend Chris Becerra, a seasoned wedding photographer (Oregon Bride’s “Best Wedding Photographer” in 2010 etc.), really wants to add a big ol’ gay wedding to his portfolio, so if you or someone you know is looking for a professional to shoot a same-sex wedding in Oregon, you should definitely get in touch with Chris. (He might even give you a discount for a non-Saturday wedding.)

Hooray for love!

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Erik May 19, 2014 at 9:22 pm

Can I hug you? Because of all the things? Yes. I want to. You’re awesome. Thank you.

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Meryl May 20, 2014 at 8:12 am

A big hooray to the whole state of Oregon!

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Four dogs and one quilter May 20, 2014 at 9:55 am

I totally agree, a proud day to be an Oregonian!

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meg @ joy of cooking May 20, 2014 at 6:57 pm

I absolutely love this. I was so happy to hear the good news yesterday. Small steps in the right direction.

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Lisa May 20, 2014 at 7:50 pm

Sing it, sister.

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Lynn Springer May 21, 2014 at 4:56 am

YES!!! For the next gay wedding I’m invited to, I’m gonna give them one of your gorgeous cutting boards.
Thank you for an important and loving message . ; ) I’m extremely happy also .

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Melissa May 21, 2014 at 2:13 pm

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for your happiness, love and support. I’m all the way in New Mexico and am continually being hit by the waves of joy as, state by state, the times are changing! Cheers!

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Deb May 21, 2014 at 3:48 pm

Wonderful news! In Australia, one State’s marriage equality laws were over-turned by our ultra conservative Federal government. I don’t understand; I will never understand – love is love.

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Lorelai May 23, 2014 at 8:36 am

Oh goodness, this post has made a gloom day so much better.
To every word: yes, yes, yes! Equality for all.

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Sally June 5, 2014 at 7:24 pm

Same sex marriage became legal in Illinois this week too! Happy days ahead!

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Ariel June 19, 2014 at 8:53 am

Love, love, love. Love this and love your post.

We’re on the path out here, hopefully soon.

– An Oregon “ex-pat” living in I-dee-ho

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