In a heartwarming display of love and resilience, many LGBTQ couples are taking a proactive approach to securing their rights and futures by getting married ahead of the upcoming inauguration. With the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the new administration’s stance on LGBTQ rights, these couples are choosing to put a ring on it and solidify their love and commitment to each other.
Licensed wedding officiant Amber Lamoreaux of North Carolina has been at the forefront of this movement, offering her services for free to any LGBTQ couples hoping to tie the knot before the inauguration. What started as a post on Facebook has turned into a beautiful outpouring of love and support, with Lamoreaux officiating over 70 weddings for LGBTQ couples in just two months. Her selfless act has inspired others to follow suit, with similar events and offers of free services popping up in cities across the country.
For many of these couples, getting married is not just a romantic gesture, but a practical choice. With the fear of their rights being taken away, they are seeking to secure their futures and protect their relationships. E.R. Anderson, the executive director of Charis Circle, has seen this firsthand, hosting a mass wedding event for LGBTQ couples and noting that many of them are long-term partners who want to ensure they can remain a family, no matter what the future holds.
Despite the uncertainty and fear that surrounds them, these couples are choosing to focus on love and hope. Mikala Beaver, who recently got married to her transgender partner, says that their wedding day was a beautiful celebration of their love, and that they didn’t let the fear of the future dampen their joy. Instead, they chose to focus on the present and the love they share.
This wave of weddings is not just a response to the current political climate, but also a testament to the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ community. As Tyleis Davidson of Lambda Legal notes, the community has come together to support and uplift each other, offering help and resources to those who need it. This sense of community and solidarity is a powerful reminder that love is stronger than hate, and that together, we can overcome even the most challenging obstacles.
As the inauguration approaches, these couples are choosing to look to the future with hope and optimism. They know that their love and commitment to each other will carry them through, no matter what challenges lie ahead. And as we celebrate their love and devotion, we are reminded that love is a fundamental human right, and that everyone deserves the freedom to love and be loved in return.