A new storytelling project from Family Equality, To Have and To Hold, seeks to honor “the history and magic of LGBTQ+ unions” before, during, and after the historic fight for marriage equality. Here’s how you can be a part of this commemoration and celebration.
“Now more than ever, our families need to see their unions celebrated,” said Anna Santa Maria, Family Equality’s associate director of storytelling, archives, and brand, in a press release. “But more so, we need to be able to tap into our history of joyful resistance. The fact is, LGBTQ+ people have been making vows to one another for far longer than ten years—and no matter what the future holds, we’ll continue to center our love, our joy, and our future in the way we move through the world. This new storytelling initiative aims to recognize and amplify that.”
All members of LGBTQ+ families are invited to participate by submitting photos, videos, audio, written stories, and news articles about LGBTQ+ unions in their lives or their participation in the fight for marriage equality. These could include photos of weddings, anniversaries, rings, invitations, vows, signs, buttons, merchandise, and more.
Family Equality will share the submissions in a digital gallery and on social media at the beginning of June, launching it with a special event featuring Family Equality policy team members along with Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that won nationwide marriage equality in the U.S.
A lot has changed in the 10 years since Obergefell. In many ways, it feels we’ve gone backwards lately. That’s all the more reason to celebrate our long history of building relationships and families and the achievements we have made. And while marriage may not be the goal of every LGBTQ person, it’s important that we have the option. I hope you’ll consider taking part in this project.
Disclosure: I serve as an unpaid, non-staff member of Family Equality’s Communications Committee.