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To the Editors:
Re: “Emotions run high as Council hears marriage testimony” (news, Oct. 30)
Editors’ note: The following was submitted as a letter to the editor along with this note: “I testified Nov. 2 before the Council in support of marriage equality. As a very happily married straight man, I thought I had an interesting perspective to offer on the issue — namely, that everyone should be able to experience the same happiness as I do.” The following is his testimony as delivered to the Council on the D.C. bill to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.
My name is Will Stephens, and I serve as the vice chair of the Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission, ANC 2B. You already heard testimony today from our chairperson, Mike Silverstein, and I heartily second his statement and his sentiments on this important bill.
I believe that our ANC was the very first to pass a resolution in support of marriage equality. In February 2009, we called upon the Council to pass legislation recognizing same-sex marriages entered into in other jurisdictions, as well as legislation recognizing same-sex marriages performed right here in the District. I commend the Council for following through on the first item earlier this year. I also commend Councilman Catania, our Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, Committee Chairman Mendelson, and all of the other co-sponsors of the current bill for their leadership and commitment to do the right thing.
As a happily married straight man, I was proud to author our initial February 2009 ANC resolution. Our October 2009 resolution, which specifically supports the current bill, was drafted by Commissioner Bob Meehan, the other straight married member of our ANC. As Commissioner Meehan joked, we may be straight, but not narrow.
I think it is no coincidence that two married straight guys felt so strongly as to draft these resolutions. There is nothing in my life that has brought me as much joy as my 10-year relationship with my wife, Andrea. And five-and-a-half years ago, as Beyoncé might say, I put a ring on it.
I still feel an emotional thrill whenever I reminisce about the day in May 2004 when we celebrated our relationship in Austin, Texas, with our families, our friends, a Latin jazz trio, and an open bar with unlimited frozen margaritas. And though we could still have had a celebration without it, that piece of paper we got from the county courthouse meant that it was real — that our lifetime commitment was recognized not only by our own friends and family, but by our neighbors, our colleagues, our doctors, our bank, our courts and our fellow citizens. It meant that we got hospital visitation rights along with our frozen margaritas.
Everyone deserves to have that same thrill — to think back on a glorious day when they celebrated their relationship with the most important people in their lives, and when the entire community — acting through the government — recognized that they were for real. It is simply unfair for the government to deny someone that happy moment — whether they were born rich or poor, black or white, gay or straight — or even if they prefer a piña colada. No matter what their celebratory beverage of choice, I look forward to some day in the near future when I can raise a glass at the wedding reception of one of our gay friends — right here in the District — and say, “Welcome to our happy club! I am so glad that you could join us.”
Thank you.
WILL STEPHENS
Washington
From the editors: The Blade recently launched a community blogging initiative and we’re looking for more contributors. Share your knowledge of D.C., its politics, history, social scene and whatever else is on your mind. We’re looking for writers already familiar with the protocols of blogging who need some online exposure. If you’re interested in being considered, contact our online editor, Rebecca Armendariz, at rarmendariz@washblade.com.
We have already added several dynamic, provocative new bloggers who are helping keep things even more interesting on our web site. Curtis Dorgan has weighed in on President Obama’s performance, among other topics.
Jamelle Thomas is a D.C. native and award-winning writer of scripts for stage and screen. Visit washingtonblade.com for her take on what it means to be out, the role of black lesbians in the movement and more.
Erwin de Leon is a researcher at ...
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