Dale Says

“If proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love…then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that American dream.”
– Michelle Obama

Perhaps the most persuasive argument for same sex marriage is to witness one. To see two people who are totally in love publically profess that love for each other would make anyone believe this is right.

There were several weddings last Friday at San Francisco’s City Hall. The couples were excited and nervous, and their attire ranged from blue jeans to tuxedos and long white wedding dresses. Steven and Norman chose tuxedo shirts, velvet vests, and blue jeans. They were both going to wear bow ties, but since neither of them knew how to tie a bow tie, Norman settled for a clip-on bow tie and Steven wore a long tie.

Steven and Norman have been together for 32 years. They are deeply in love, and their lives are completely intertwined. They have very different personalities, which beautifully complement each other, and like all couples who have been together that long, they have their differences, which they manage to work out.

As the wedding ceremony started, they were nervous. They held hands and looked into each other’s eyes as the judge went through the service. It was an emotional sight to see those two gray-haired men express their love, exchange rings, and vow to take each other “’till death do us part.” Then the judge announced that by the power vested in him by the State of California, they were married. It was a moment that Steven and Norman thought would never happen. It was a moment in history.

There was a reception to celebrate the occasion with the nicest group of people imaginable. Their friends include straight couples, gay couples, straight and gay singles – and each has a kind and generous nature. Along with Steven and Norman, their friends have weathered prejudice, and they have developed patience. They have experienced narrow-mindedness, and they have developed forbearance. And through it all they have remained crazy about Steven and Norman.

Steven and Norman’s wedding was about a lot of things. It was about endurance, and progress, and definitely about perseverance. And, as Norman said so well at the reception: “It was about love and tolerance.”