Couples say 'I do' at Freedom to Marry Day
By: Erin Rechin
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Campus
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Vision, the University's GLBTQ student organization, celebrated National Freedom to Marry Day yesterday. The event was supposed to occur on Feb. 12, the recognized day, but the snow days prevented the event from occurring.
In 1997, Evan Wolfson, a civil rights attorney, founded National Freedom to Marry Day to spread awareness about the rights that same-sex partners lack. It has since developed into a week long observance and gained the attention of international media.
Beijing held their first protest for marriage equality this year.
"This day started as activism to push for the right to marry for GLBT individuals," said Derrick Daggett, Vision vice president.
Vision's idea for their celebration came from graduate student Jonathan May, who participated in a similar event during his undergraduate years.
Vision "married" consenting adults of any orientation at the Union tables. Upon the completion of their vows, the couples received marriage certificates and exchanged rings made of rainbow ribbon.
The ceremony came complete with a bouquet and wedding photo and was sealed with a kiss.
"I think everyone should have the right to get married. We have the right to show our love and devotion," said Christen Drouhard, junior and newlywed.
The marriage certificates listed the rights granted to people in marriages, civil unions and non-marital relationships.
The purpose of the certificates was to provide some educational information to BGSU students.
For example, married couples can make medical decisions for each other and can generally visit their spouse in the hospital.
Civil unions may not be recognized out of the state in which the union occurred, so a partner's visitation and medical decision-making may not be recognized out of state.
"People need to realize that we are not going to sit around and let them take rights away from the queer community," said Nicole Arnold, Vision outreach chair.
Vision recognized the day as a good way to bring awareness to GLBT issues.
"It's pretty hard to miss us with our big rainbow and tri-fold boards. We want people to talk about us and realize we are a marginalized group," Daggett said.
In 1997, Evan Wolfson, a civil rights attorney, founded National Freedom to Marry Day to spread awareness about the rights that same-sex partners lack. It has since developed into a week long observance and gained the attention of international media.
Beijing held their first protest for marriage equality this year.
"This day started as activism to push for the right to marry for GLBT individuals," said Derrick Daggett, Vision vice president.
Vision's idea for their celebration came from graduate student Jonathan May, who participated in a similar event during his undergraduate years.
Vision "married" consenting adults of any orientation at the Union tables. Upon the completion of their vows, the couples received marriage certificates and exchanged rings made of rainbow ribbon.
The ceremony came complete with a bouquet and wedding photo and was sealed with a kiss.
"I think everyone should have the right to get married. We have the right to show our love and devotion," said Christen Drouhard, junior and newlywed.
The marriage certificates listed the rights granted to people in marriages, civil unions and non-marital relationships.
The purpose of the certificates was to provide some educational information to BGSU students.
For example, married couples can make medical decisions for each other and can generally visit their spouse in the hospital.
Civil unions may not be recognized out of the state in which the union occurred, so a partner's visitation and medical decision-making may not be recognized out of state.
"People need to realize that we are not going to sit around and let them take rights away from the queer community," said Nicole Arnold, Vision outreach chair.
Vision recognized the day as a good way to bring awareness to GLBT issues.
"It's pretty hard to miss us with our big rainbow and tri-fold boards. We want people to talk about us and realize we are a marginalized group," Daggett said.
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