One of my favorite things about this project is hearing how much people want to celebrate joy. We want to. It’s deep in us, the press toward joy. This post is filled with love. You can feel it as you read. She’s like this in real life, too. Meet my guest for today’s Marriage Project:
Marriage … isn’t important to me. The idea of marriage, the equality of it, and access to it, however, is.
I, personally, believe in no forever, no unconditional love, no fairytale. I believe that there is a higher chance of obligation becoming the reason my marriage would continue, not unyielding affection. To me, and again I say, TO ME, a piece of paper with a state-sanctioned promise is completely meaningless.
However, I also believe denying anyone their own piece of paper with a state-sanctioned promise and all the rights and perks that come along with it is abhorrent.
Marriage is beautiful, inspiring, and necessary. I truly believe that. I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the most awe-inspiring, thought-provoking wedding I have ever seen last year. There was no church, no priest, no tux, no marriage license, and no groom. There was, however, the most awesome; and I mean awesome to its most literal definition; out pouring of love throughout the entirety of the night. Not just from the brides, mind you, but from the whole group that came to support them in their decision.
During the service, one of the women in the marriage party said something to the extent of:
Marriage is a promise not only to and for each other, but also to and from the couple’s community. That the couple would share their love and joy and hardships with their chosen community and not hide it from the world, but also that their community promised to celebrate with as well as support the couple.
It was everything I had ever believed from the possibility of marriage. To my life, no, marriage is not important, but I do believe that in and of itself sums up the entire debate of marriage equality. I don’t need or want a marriage, so I chose not to get married.
I would never deny that right to any couple based on something as insignificant as what genitals they happen to possess. It is my commitment in life to celebrate joy wherever it springs up, so this hedonist heart will be at every wedding her community has to offer and can do nothing but smile blissfully at the idea of all the women and men who can finally marry whomever they choose.
Amora Lenzi
Spokane, WA
That Amora is one joyful girl, right? <3