After two years – just weddings
by Rob Howard
Associate Editor
Happy second anniversary to same-sex couples married on October 6, 2014. That was the day that the Supreme Court refused to hear appeals of marriage equality cases, bringing same-sex marriage to Oklahoma, Utah, Indiana, Wisconsin and Virginia. The total number of states where all couples could marry was 24.
By the end of October 2014, seven more states were added to the list, bringing the total to 31. And just eight months later, the Supreme Court handed down the Obergefell decision, making marriage equality the law of the land in the entire country.
Congratulations rained down on Sharon and Mary Bishop-Baldwin, the lead plaintiffs in the Oklahoma case for today’s anniversary. They were able to marry two years ago today as a result of the Supreme Court's action. Sharon wrote on her Facebook page, “Two years ago today, Mary and I awoke to the realization that we wouldn't have to fight for marriage equality even one more day. Our dream was coming true. It would be our wedding day.
“That makes today our second anniversary. But no matter how much it might seem proper to spend this day focused on my wife and our marriage, I just can't. We do that on March 26, the date on which we had a commitment ceremony in 2000.
“No, this date demands a celebration made for way more than two people. This is a day for ALL equality-minded Oklahomans to say and to be told, ‘Happy anniversary!’ After all, on this day two years ago, thousands of LGBTQ Oklahomans earned the right to walk a little taller, live a little prouder. Not just two of us. So on this day, we should all tell our ‘where were you ...’ stories! We should smile, and share memories, and maybe even shed a happy tear or two. I know that's what I'm going to be doing. And I don't want to celebrate alone!
“Happy anniversary, everyone!”
In Oklahoma City, on October 6, Rev. Lori Walke, Associate Minister of Mayflower Congregational Church married 13 same-sex couples. At that time, The Gayly wrote, “As she married the first couple, she proclaimed, ‘By the power vested in me by the State of Oklahoma….’ A rousing, prolonged cheer arose from the several hundred friends and family gathered in the church at those words. She continued, ‘and the United Church of Christ, I now pronounce you a couple. You are stuck with each other!’ The couple kissed, and walked up the aisle, cheered on by a standing ovation.”
Last year, on the first anniversary of those weddings, “She told The Gayly, ‘In a year I’ve married close to 100 same-sex couples.’ But she hastened to add, ‘I don’t do same-sex weddings, they are just weddings. Sometimes the couples are of the same sex and sometimes they are not.’”
The Gayly extends its congratulations to those couples celebrating their second anniversary today, and to all couples who have been able to marry in the entire country.
Copyright 2016 The Gayly – October 6, 2016 @ 4:10 p.m.