A Wedding Day for the Ages: Celebrating Love and Legal Milestones

In May 2014, after my wife and I got engaged, a conversation with my best friend Kim set in motion what would become one of the most memorable days of our lives. Kim, with her characteristic blend of practicality and intuition, suggested that we choose June 26, 2015, as our wedding date. First, she quite practically argued that Friday weddings are best for out-of-towners, and we had many. But, also, she thought we might get historically lucky: Kim had noticed that all the major Supreme Court decisions that increased LGBT rights in this country had, to date, been announced on June 26 in whatever year they had occurred. She also knew that the jurisprudence on the topic of same sex marriage was poised to go to the Supreme Court of the United States very soon, and might even be decided during the 2014-2015 session. Neither my wife nor I had noticed that…and we are both gay attorneys and she is neither of those things! Thank goodness someone was paying attention.

Intrigued by Kim’s suggestion, we decided to schedule our wedding for June 26, 2015. It felt like a private homage to the significant legal victories that had marked this date in the past. It also felt hopeful that June is a traditional month for both brides and Pride. June 26, specifically, is often cited as the date of the Stonewall riots in 1969—a pivotal moment in the fight against homophobic and transphobic state violence. The riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City were a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and the night is now commemorated with Pride festivities worldwide. Learning this only made our chosen wedding date feel even more special and meaningful.

The Excitement Builds for a Historic Decision

Throughout 2014 and the first half of 2015, activists and people in love continued pushing at the boundaries that kept same-sex marriage from being recognized nationally. Just weeks after our engagement, on June 1, 2014, Illinois’ Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act went into effect, making our coming marriage legal in our home state. In all, from the date of our engagement through the date of our marriage on June 26, 2015, 18 U.S. states, numerous Native American tribes, several countries including the UK and Scotland, and 5 counties in Missouri and Kansas all legalized recognition of same-sex marriage.

source: dailyherald.com

As we approached our wedding day, the anticipation surrounding a potential Supreme Court decision on marriage equality added an extra layer of excitement. When the Court announced its docket for the 2014-2015 term, Obergefell v. Hodges was among the cases slated for review. This case was a landmark challenge to the legality of same-sex marriage bans, and we knew there was a chance that a historic decision might be handed down around our wedding date.

We closely followed the Court’s calendar, eagerly awaiting any updates. We listened to the oral arguments and heard the appellate attorneys’ advocacy about the way a national recognition of same-sex marriage would affect our lives. We tried not to assume that the Court would decide in favor of same-sex marriage, but it was hard not to get excited. It seemed like every day there was additional news about same-sex marriage becoming legal in a place that would’ve been impossible only a short time before.

An Unforgettable Morning Unfolds

On June 26, 2015, our wedding day, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. My phone started buzzing uncontrollably at 9:00 a.m. our time, 10 a.m. EST, as everyone I knew excitedly confirmed that the Supreme Court had delivered its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same-sex marriage across the United States. The photo that will forever stay in my mind of that morning shows the Running of the Interns, which until 2020 was a Washington, DC tradition in which interns of news outlets ran to deliver results of major decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States to the press.

source: esquire.com

We were initially a bit shocked: we had tried so hard not to assume that this would happen that we didn’t make space for it anywhere in any of the wedding scripts or rituals. Yet, as with everything else that day, our amazing friends and family stepped in to help us savor the moment. Throughout the morning, many of our attorney-and non-attorney friends texted us pieces of the decision to read while we were busy with makeup and final preparations. Even though we didn’t think to ask, our officiant re-wrote his remarks and skillfully wove elements of the opinion into our wedding ceremony, making the moment even more poignant.

The celebration continued as our families and bridal party incorporated lines from the Supreme Court’s decision into their toasts, adding a layer of historical significance to our personal celebration. The energy in the room was palpable, filled with joy and a shared sense of accomplishment. It felt like we were not only celebrating our union but also marking a significant victory for the LGBTQ+ community—one that had been a long time coming.

A Day of Joy and Reflection

Looking back, we feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to celebrate our wedding on such a historic occasion. The intersection of our personal joy with a landmark legal decision created a unique and unforgettable experience. Our wedding day became a symbol of both personal love and collective progress, embodying the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

We are deeply grateful to Kim for her insightful suggestion and for making our wedding date a powerful tribute to the milestones of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Our celebration was more than just a personal event; it was a moment of shared history and triumph for a community that has fought long and hard for equality.

In conclusion, our wedding day was a beautiful blend of personal significance and historical importance. It served as a reminder of the progress we have made and the love that continues to drive us forward. As we reflect on that day nearly a decade ago, in the context of the first decade of Illinois marriage equality, we are reminded of the incredible support we received from our friends and family, and the joy of celebrating love and equality in such a meaningful way.