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Just about one year ago, on June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges, held that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. In English? Essentially, same-sex couples could now be legally married in the United States. It was monumental, and we were thrilled.
In light of the recent events in Orlando, it's easy to feel powerless and angry and beaten down by the continued struggles that befall the LGBT community. But as the first anniversary of the SCOTUS decision rolls around, we can remember that the continued perseverance of these communities are making a difference. Is it still mind-blowingly slow and frustrating and hard? Hell yes. But as Lin Manuel Miranda so heart-wrenchingly uttered at The Tonys, “love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.”
This anniversary, marked with the pain of the worst mass shooting in recent U.S. history (which targeted the LGBT and people of color communities), has to remind us to keep fighting. Fighting for the rights, protections, and recognition of all facets of the LGBT community. Let's take a look back at some of our coverage of the various legal decisions and a few of our own favorite LGBT weddings we've featured. Because love is love and we love celebrating it.
Photo by Same-Sex Wedding Photographers, Cindy and Sharon
When individual states started recognizing same-sex marriages
Maine's decision made this wedding happen…
When we got psyched by some early milestones
When we realize how far we still have to go
The ways couples have tried to support legalization
When we learned what a “love exile” was
Both heartbreaking and amazing…
…And some of our most popular LGBT weddings EVER
Here are a few LGBT weddings we've featured (among so many amazing ones!), that captured our hearts and seriously dazzled our eyes. I mean, the cherry blossoms, the “drag clown nun,” a drag king weds a burlesque queen! We are truly hashtag blessed to have seen these weddings.
WHEW! There's so much we could talk about with these weddings, but really, this is just a sampling. Gorge yourself on the beauty of the rest of our 63 pages of LGBT weddings in our full archive.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the legalized same-sex marriage decision anniversary in the comments.
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About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
What an awesome article! It’s good to be reminded of the positive things that have been fought for and won (even if they should have been granted without needing the fight). There are some really fun-looking weddings featured! Thank you.