A Reflection from June 26, 2015 - Decision Day
by MaryAnn Nelson, Southwest Washington Synod
My daisy plant opened its flowers today. I had checked it last night and it was ready to bloom but not open. The daisies are planted in remembrance of our wedding . We will have shared in all the many, many rights of marriage for 41 years in August.
Today is a historic day! I cry tears of joy at the Supreme Court’s decision to recognize the fundamental right for all people to have equal access to marriage. For the first time, the U.S. government , working through the Supreme Court, has recognized love is love. They have recognized that committed, loving relationships of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are all equal and will have equal protection under the law in all states and the District of Columbia.
The ruling is a blessing for my family. Washington state is a marriage state already. My boys are planning their wedding for next summer. I am a mama and I worried that my boys would be offered a wonderful job in a state that would not recognize their love. However this ruling will mean that our son and our almost son in law will gain the protections of marriage throughout the United States, all fifty states. Our younger son was in a domestic partnership some years ago—we called it marriage. They carried cards to prove their relationship at that time. If a medical problem came up the card came out to prove what their relationship was, to make sure they could be together in an emergency. I have never carried my marriage certificate in case my husband had a medical emergency. And Jacob and Brandon will not have to carry proof of their relationship when they travel throughout the United States.
This ruling is a cause for celebration! I am carrying my Kleenex with me as I work today. My happiness is dripping down my face. However please remember that this is one step. There are still many injustices based on sexual orientation and gender identify and expression in our country. Together working with people of faith we can continue to work for justice and equity for all of God’s people.
I will pick daisies to put on the altar of Stella Lutheran Chapel Sunday. And I will rejoice with my church family!
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