Love Comes in All Flavors

I was only twelve years old when I went to my first gay wedding with my dad. This was back in 1980—long before gay marriage was recognized as legal. On our drive to San Francisco, I don’t ever remember dad telling me we were going to see a ‘gay’ wedding… it was just a wedding, and he just wanted me to be his ‘date.’

When I entered the church that day I was a bit shocked—it was the first time I’d been in a room where all the couples were the same sex. I remember sitting in the pew with my Dad, thinking how unusual it was that we were the only opposite sex people sitting next to each other. My Dad didn’t say a word. He acted like this was totally routine.

And so it was to me too—even though a gay lifestyle was not openly accepted at that time. Because my dad was open to this lifestyle, and allowed me to see it first hand at a young age, I immediately accepted it as yet another expression of love between two humans. Good people who love and respect each other and want to be in a committed relationship should be able to get married.

Now, 23 years later, I own a catering company in Seattle, am raising children of my own to support equality, and am filled with joy that Washington state passed the marriage equality law. At long last, gay and lesbian love, commitment, and equality have been validated. Gay people can finally embrace who they really are, and celebrate the fact that they’ve found partners with whom they can be themselves and be happy. Isn’t that what we should all strive to be in life—ourselves?

Since the law passed last December, I have been blessed to be a part of several gay and lesbian weddings, including one that was extra special to me: my neighbors Dawn and Laurie. Just like so many other gay and lesbian couples I know, they have been together for a long time and never thought they would be able to get married. When the law passed they were so thrilled to finally have this opportunity.

When Laurie and Dawn started planning their wedding, Laurie asked me shyly, “How do you feel about gay weddings?” I thought in my head “STRONGLY!” but replied in my professional voice, “I totally support gay marriage and always have. I’ve supported gay businesses and organizations for years, am a member of the GSBA, and sponsor events every year for organizations such as Gay City Health.”

Inside I was thrilled and incredibly honored that she asked me to cater their wedding, as was my 11-1/2 year old son Gareth, who was the reason we first met Laurie and Dawn, through their mutual love of dogs. Laurie and Dawn were so impressed with Gareth’s dog skills that they asked him to be their “dog wrangler” in the ceremony—walking their dogs up the aisle and watching after them throughout the wedding.

In just one generation, it has been a joy for me to watch life come full circle. From my first gay wedding in a hidden, secret church in San Francisco, to watching my son participate in a gay wedding at the very same age I attended my first gay wedding—I feel truly blessed. Congratulations Dawn and Laurie and all the other amazing couples who have honored me to be a part of their events. I applaud you!

All photos used with great thanks to the amazing Kelly Hamill Photography.