LBGTQ+ Weddings in Utah
LGBTQ+ Weddings in Utah!?
LGBTQIA+ weddings, same-sex marriage, gay marriage, lesbian marriage, or as I like to refer to it - marriage - is an important civil and legal right, and a social and cultural rite of passage. Any marriage is a genuine joy to be a part of, but LGBTQIA+ weddings are very special indeed. Every ceremony feels like a triumph, and several of them have even begun their ceremony by quoting the Supreme Court decision from Justice Kennedy.
“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
Justice Anthony Kennedy, June 26th 2015
Personally speaking, I have been a lifelong and passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ civil rights, even before I was impacted by the marriage equality decision. Starting from my earliest adult years, I took part in marches, rallies, vigils and other acts of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
When it was briefly made legal in Utah in December of 2013, I rushed to the courthouse and over the course of those heady few days was fortunate to officiate dozens of ceremonies for happy couples.
Since marriage equality was made the law of the land, I have been fortunate to be the officiant at many weddings that include same-sex couples, and am still a proud supporter and ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, I am very happily married to a trans woman and one of our children is trans and the other is bi. We are all active in our local pride community, and my spouse Jennifer is a board member for TEA of Utah
My rainbow family!
Family portrait, 2021
Utah Pride Center Road Rally fundraiser - 10/10/21
