Here come the Grooms

I recently attended a same-sex wedding for some friends of mine (really more acquaintances than friends, but was honored that they included me and my man on the invite list).

This was a legal marriage held in Massachusetts.

I found that the experience has made me more of a marriage equality supporter than I was before. I've never been against it, but have been somewhat neutral on the issue. (Maybe I'll write a 'Self-Analysis' post with more thoughts on that later...)

There were several points in the ceremony what caused me to "tear-up". Both sets of parents walking down the aisle as the ceremony began, brothers of both of the grooms in the wedding party, and a sister doing a reading. The sister read the same scripture her brother read at her wedding.

I can't imagine my family ever participating in anything like that...especially my sister.

I also found the vows and exchanging of rings quite emotional. The public proclomation of their love, and the promise of committment on the journey.

I think the overriding factor in my experience was the feeling of acceptance that it gave. Acceptance by the families of the grooms, acceptance by the state government and at least some part of society. Acceptance that this relationship, this love, this lifetime together was valid.

I don't mean to say (and hope that I don't somewhere down deep feel) that I need validation for my love and my relationship...but it does mean something to have it. Even though great strides have been made over the years, I feel that gays do in many ways live a separate life from much of "main street" society. I feel more strongly now that marriage is helping us take a step out onto that street...and there's no reason we shouldn't be there...