Thursday, June 27, 2013

Supreme Court Strikes DOMA

Celebrate



My husband and I made fast tracks into Camp Rehoboth yesterday morning as soon as we heard of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike DOMA because I had read on facebook that Camp would be hosting an all day celebration. The celebration was made so special because we - along with so many other lesbian and gay couples - had crowned our 45-year long relationship with marriage in New York City in August 2012. The mixed media distressed painting above, “Same Sex Marriage,” includes a telescoped photo of our marriage ceremony with Reverend Pat Bumgardner at the Metropolitan Community Church in Manhattan. It is currently on display as part of the LGBT Pictionary show at Camp Rehoboth for the Gay Pride Month of June celebration. Joe and I feel as though the past year has been an extremely special year for us for two reasons. First, because of the work we put into creating this show. Joe put together twenty-five frames, and provided the environment conducive to the creation of thirty-two paintings over a nine-month period. Second, our marriage ceremony and the three celebrations we held with friends in various locations was conducted as one small part of the massive LGBT push for marriage equality in the United States. And now, as of June 26, 2013, for the first time in our forty-five years together we are viewed as equal to our heterosexual brothers and sisters in the eyes of our Federal government, if not by thirty-seven of the fifty states. Of course we still have far to go in order to secure equality in all the states. Never the less, this week we will take time out from that historic struggle for equality to celebrate. In fact, the song, “Celebrate,” by Kool and the Gang (1980) keeps playing over and over in my head.

Yes, Celebrate!

Celebrate good times, come on
(Let's celebrate)

Celebrate good times, come on
(Let's celebrate)

There's a party goin' on right here


A celebration to last throughout the years


So bring your good times
And your laughter too


We gonna celebrate our party with you





1 comment:

Betsy Grant said...

It's always amazing to see you creativity. I love your art!