This post isn’t about VO. It isn’t about freelancing or artistry or anything like that. This post is about love and the absolute need to defend it, in all it’s forms.
For the last ten days I’ve been traveling. I went back East yet again (2 trips in 2 months!) for the wedding of my best friend from home. My husband and I were able to sneak in 5 days at Martha’s Vineyard, as our trip coincided with my brother and sister-in-law’s annual week on the Vineyard. It was so wonderful to spend time with my family in such a relaxed atmosphere, something we haven’t done in such a long time. Lots of beach time, reading (oh, reading…how I’ve missed you!), long walks, fresh seafood, shopping, and ice cream. And laughter. Always lots of laughter when I’m with the family and for that I’m grateful.
The second half of the trip found me back in my hometown. I had a surprise session from a regular client who needed ISDN and after putting it out there on a VO group I belong to on FB, I was supremely hooked up by delightful VO Liz de Nesnera who welcomed me into her lovely country home in the middle of nowhere, unreservedly, for a quick ISDN session. (Proving once again that voiceover folks are the kindest and coolest folks in the world)! A big shout out to Melissa Exelberth, too, for connecting us!
Soon it was time for the wedding. The rehearsal was held the night before at my friend’s mom’s house in her backyard, where the wedding would be. The wedding itself was the next day. The weather couldn’t have been better: sunny skies, not too hot, not too cold, a perfect early summer day in New York. The ceremony was heartfelt and touching; the reception was all about delicious food, beautiful speeches and lots and lots of getting down on the dance floor. A wedding just like any other. Hearts were full, both families in so much joy to see these two people join each others families and become one.
There was just one tiny difference between this and every other wedding I’ve been to. It was a same sex wedding. Julie and Eva were the lovely bride and bride. Everything else was exactly the same. Happy families, beautiful people, joy and love.
It got me thinking and I haven’t been able to put it from my mind (hence this post!). How can anyone be against this?? I just don’t get it. Of all the things in this world to be against – how could anyone be against this? AGAINST LOVE? Against joy and happiness and delight? Against families? I kept thinking if all those who are against “gay marriage” could be here at this celebration right now, they would change their minds – they would have to. They would see that love is love is love and there is absolutely nothing wrong with love in any of it’s myriad forms. It’s the very thing that heals the world.
It is maddening to think that if Eva and Julie lived in one of the 31 states where same sex marriage is illegal, this day would not have been allowed to happen. It wouldn’t be recognized or honored under the law. What? What about all the other people in those states? It is cruel, it is unfair, it is DISCRIMINATION and that’s what needs to be illegal. Isn’t it supposed to be?
It’s the civil rights issue of our time. I’m probably preaching to the choir; chances are most of my readers agree with me whole heartedly. Most people in the country do, I suspect. In fact, I firmly believe that soon it will be legal across all states. But that tiny minority is so loud. We need to be, too. We must demand it. All our brothers and sisters deserve basic human rights and those rights include equality and the pursuit of happiness.
Eva and Julie, I was so honored to be a part of your celebration and I don’t mean to turn it political! But unfortunately we know it is still political. EVERYONE deserves to love and be loved out loud. And everyone deserves the same protection, rights and privileges under the law.
