watch this video, and then read on…
most of y’all know that even though lina and i are legally married, our marriage is not legal or recognized in north carolina (where we now live) because in this southern state, marriage is specifically defined and written into our nc government as being only between one man and one woman. same sex marriages, even legal ones from other states or countries, do not count. in short, here we are second class citizens. it’s completely unfair, discriminatory, and infuriating.
but, we live in the city of asheville. and asheville does things a little bit differently. it is a city that is filled with all kinds of people, with all kinds of beliefs and looks and ideas. so, it’s this diverse place where opinions and differences are, dare i say, celebrated, if not just accepted. so, it is the place to live if you are in a same sex relationship.
personally, lina and i have had no problems at all – and i didn’t expect us to. no one treats us any differently – people may disagree, but the idea is “live and let live”. anyway, we have been lucky. and we are blessed. the city is even filled with amazing lgbtq lawyers who fight to secure estate (will) rights, hospital rights, powers of attorney, and all that other legal mumbo jumbo. so, we have hired a lawyer, and she will be preparing tons of documents for us, guaranteeing our rights as a legally married couple.
our attorney’s wife (she is in a same sex relationship herself) is a minister and the leader of an lgbtq campaign for marriage equality in the southern states – called the WeDo campaign . for over a year now, same sex partners have been going into the register of deeds offices of the cities where they live to apply for a marriage license. every single couple has been turned down. hundreds and hundreds of couples all across the south. time and time again. their applications are rejected. only because of who they love and wish to marry.
tons of same sex couples have also applied here in asheville, only to be turned away every single time….
until yesterday.
yesterday, something amazing happened. it was planned and scheduled. there were about 10 couples and a few hundred supporters who marched to the register of deeds office to apply for marriage licenses through the WeDo campaign.
take a look and see what happened…
there is still a ways to go, but this was a step. a huge step.
That’s fantastic! I didn’t even know it was possible to accept the application! Hopefully they will all be issued very soon.
we’ll see what happens! i believe it’s all going to the NC supreme court at some point. 🙂 xx
You live in Asheville now?! Love NC! I have been hiding under a rock, apparently.
Oregon (where L and I live) is like NC in that it is specifically forbidden, so getting married here is not yet a possibility. But, Oregon just recognized out of state marriages, and we are hoping to get the discriminatory law removed next year. Fingers crossed!
People like your wife and your lawyer’s wife make me cry tears of joy! 🙂 If we lived near you, we would totally come down to city hall and register. 🙂
haha!! yes! we moved back in july. 🙂 fingers crossed all over this country that things will be set straight (haha). if y’all lived near us, it’d be awesome! 🙂
My partner and I have a very similar issue since we live in SC, but with the changes made recently we found out that the Department of Defense will recognize our marriage (for I insurance, benefits, and tax purposes) provided we get married in a state where it is legal and my partner (she’s in the military) can actually get time off work to do so. We are planng on that soon and maybe by that time the law in NC will have changed and we can visit beautiful Asheville to do so 🙂
So glad things are moving forward everywhere! We’d love to have y’all visit, so anytime you want to, just let me know!
That would be great!
Just a matter of time… 🙂
🙂 xx
I’m posting the first video tomorrow. because let’s go!
30 years from now, people are going to think the anti-gays were ridiculous. (How could anyone not love us. Seriously.)
Thanks for posting Em!!
Made me cry.
Fingers crossed–one or two southern states could open the floodgates.
You are so right, V. And it’s coming… it is! xx
Reblogged this on United Cultures and commented:
Love this blog!
Love to you and Leonie!
Made me cry too! Thank you Liz for your courage and conviction and willingness to stand up for what is right, just and human. Much love to you both.