Local Same-Sex Couple Celebrates First Year of Marriage

With Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act cases on the heels before the US Supreme Court, I am concerned that some people are unaware of the impact the decisions may have. So many people do not see the effect this decision may have on certain individuals within their society. Some may see it as an attack on the sanctity of marriage while others are concerned with economical issues. For those concerned about their money, marriage equality has brought $259 million into NYC’s economy within just one year. That is a tremendous amount of money.

Of the people who say marriage should be between a man and woman; who are they to tell two consenting adults who they may love and marry? Some say gays are shoving this issue down their throats. But what I see is people against marriage equality using money and the ballot box to shove their views into my face. No one is forcing anyone to marry someone of the same-sex nor are gays forcing churches to marry them. People that are against same-sex marriage because of religious reasons have so conveniently forgotten a time when African American's were denied their rights because certain people twisted scriptures in the bible.

One year ago today, I was married to my partner of 10 years in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This was the happiest time of my life. When we applied for our marriage license I went though so many emotions. During our wedding ceremony I kept choking up; my dream was finally coming true. For the first time ever I was being treated like everyone else. The majority of people don't know how it feels not to be treated equally. When I hear about some heterosexual couple dreaming about that "perfect fantasy" wedding; I think to myself, really? All I want is to be able to marry the man I love with all my heart, with whom I want to spend the rest of my life. I don't care about all that superficial stuff that comes with a wedding.

Thank you Canada for that moment, I will never forget it. And Rick, I love you more than anything!