My First Legal Gay Wedding
Posted by Allison on Nov 03, 2008. Filed under Ceremony, Real Weddings
Comments (6), Permalink
I had the privilege of attending my first legal gay wedding on September 20, 2008 for my friends Dan Joraanstad & Bob Hermann. Since this was a same-sex wedding, I’d been especially curious about how my friends’ marriage ceremony would play out at the rather traditional Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. I was delighted to see that the adorable (female) pastor at the church wholeheartedly blesses these unions.
Throughout this charming and touching service, there was much laughter and wild applause from the gay contingent as well as us straight folk upon announcing the official union. Surrounded by the inspired Rose window architecture, the music from dual pipe organs and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (Dan is a singer in the chorus), I felt tears of joy for this momentous occasion streaking down my face. Looking around, I discovered that almost the entire congregation was moved to tears—or maybe it was relief at the fact that this couple could finally express love openly. This particular church believes that opening oneself to the creativity of music or artistic inspiration leads one to the divine. I love that concept.
Whatever it was that stirred my soul that day led me to think about societies that disallow some people to fully express that which is most vital to life: love. What if I couldn’t publicly express my love for my husband?
Thanks to Mark Rogers Photography for this darling photo, and to Dan and Bob for allowing me to share this most personal experience with our readers. You inspire us.
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Comments
I think it is great that this couple was able to do what they believe in. As long as the church and pastor had no problem then there is no issue. Unfortunately proposition 8 enforces more than just allowing homosexuals to get married. If it was only about marriage I see nothing wrong. Not to be cruel, but I would hope any homosexual couple would respect the beliefs of others and not make a scene to disprespect the beliefs of others. I heard a homosexual woman did that to a doctor in San Diego. She sued him because he was uncomfortable with the situation. The doctor referred her to someone else and yet she sued and won. People like that give nice people like your friends a bad reputation. In any case, I hope your friends are extremely happy. As I said before, I wish Prop 8 only had to do with marriage, but it’s more than just that. i don’t want to be raped of my rights as a parent for what my child is taught in school let alone the poor doctor who was sued because of his beliefs.
I forgot to add, although I have nothing against female pastors, I belong to a church that does not believe in having female pastors, yet I do not condone it. My beliefs and the belief of those in my congregation do not all share the exact same thing. Each church has it’s differences. So with that, I am not one to judge but I do not wish to be forced into something I do not believe in.
Congratulations to you friends! I love to hear stories like these.
I totaly agree with your point here! If it was only about marriage I see nothing wrong. Not to be cruel, but I would hope any homosexual couple would respect the beliefs of others and not make a scene to disrespect the beliefs of others I admire the stuff you post and the quality information you offer in your blog! Keep up the awesome work dude.
Congratulations to your friends! I believe they have the same God given right to be miserably married as the rest of us ;)
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I had the honor of photographing Dan and Bob’s wedding and experienced the same overwhelming sense of community and emotion that day as Allison so eloquently describes in her post. As someone who’s photographed a number of weddings - both same sex and straight - I think what struck me the most about Dan and Bob’s was how natural and fitting the whole thing seemed. The term same-sex wedding or non-straight wedding didn’t even cross my mind. This was simply two people who’ve operated as a couple for years and who love each other getting married in front of hundreds of close friends.
That’s what proponents of Prop 8 (the California Ballot intiative that, if passed, would eliminate the right for same sex couples to marry) fail to see here. Everyone, please vote tomorrow and vote no on Prop 8