Friday, February 29, 2008

A peak into the personal life

Big changes are coming -- in the form of a commitment ceremony performed by State College mayor Bill Welch right on the Penn State campus in downtown State College! Being the politically active and loving couple that we are, The Kat and I volunteered to be one of six same-sex couples who will participate in this ceremony.

We're really excited about it, having talked often about getting married. The Kid is excited beyond belief, as the ceremony will take place during her spring break.

Of course, some people are not as happy about this as we are. For some reason, a bunch of baptists in Altoona (about 40 miles away from State College) are getting a petition together to stop this atrocity. The funniest thing about the protest is that Bill Welch has already refused to change his mind on this issue. The guy knows that his base--the staunch liberals here in State College--will support him on this, and a bunch of people from Altoona have no say in his political future.

The whole thing will take place in the HUB, the student center on campus. The LGBT Graduate Student Coalition came up with this idea and has gotten local businesses to donate flowers, food, and decorations for the event.

Kat's come up with some neat ideas, like having each of us make some sort of statement about why we're participating, what the ceremony means to us personally and politically, etc. which I think will be neat.
Still, these crazy baptists are trying to elicit the support of baptist churches all over the country, so I'm wondering if the national news will pick up on the story. Maybe it'll even be on Fox Nazi Channel!
I haven't decided whether to tell my parents or not; they've already said they wouldn't come to any sort of wedding for us, but at least they've accepted Kat and like her, which is an improvement. I probably won't tell them. However, if you happen to see a story in your newspaper, now you can laugh and say, "Hey--I know someone who's going to be in that ceremony!

13 comments:

Splotchy said...

Congratulations!

It would be interesting to see your ceremony on the national news, but I would be more than happy if you didn't get sucked up into the news cycle.

I hope everything goes well. I'm very excited for you!

dguzman said...

Yeah, it would be very strange and disturbing to have a media circus atmosphere, but I've been in several gay-issue-related protests here (of known bigot EX-women's b-ball coach Rene Portland), and I always feel a weird mixture of rebellious excitement and crushing disappointment when I see people telling us we're freaks, etc. It's tough to hold back my anger and my tears.

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Way to go my friend. I'll be there for you and with in spirit. We'll only be free when we all have the same rights as everyone else. Sending you and yours a big hug!

Matthew Hubbard said...

Best wishes to the happy couple, especially because she will now officially be a Gigantic Child Bride.

Distributorcap said...

congrats!!!!!!

it is all these steps that will inevitably make this country realize that everyone deserves happiness and family.

i hope it doesnt make the news -----
but i do hope everyone has a great time and the assholes from altoona do not ruin it for anyone

Claire said...

Congratulations!
I'm very happy for you both, and hope the asshats of the Lord (He thinks of them as asshats, too, you know) don't ruin your day. Be sure to let everyone know when the actual day is.

Anonymous said...

How cool! You're making history! Best wishes to you both!

Anonymous said...

Mazel Tov!
Be sure to get a prenup.
I'm just sayin'.

Fran said...

Holy crap - I want to be there with bells on!

No one has ever, ever, ever explained why gay marriage is such a "threat" to the family or regular marriage (whatever the fuck that is) or blah blah blah.

I had an intriguing conversation with one of my dinner companions Friday night about homophobia. He is an official of the Episcopal church and in a 28 year relationship with an Episcopal priest.

This is something I would like to write about and hope to do so soon.

Feel the love girl- it comes to you and Kat from NY!! Go get married my women!

Sorghum Crow said...

Awwww, congratulations. Hugs and kisses to you.

yournamehere said...

No one has ever been able to give me a reason why two taxpayer/citizens can be legally denied the right to a union recognized as legal by their particular state. Obviously, you can't force a Christian church to act Christ-like, but city hall should have to marry any consenting adults who wish to be together.

Dr. Zaius said...

Congratulations!

dguzman said...

Thank you all for your sweet (and often hilarious) comments. I'll keep you all posted on things as they develop!