Should This Be Illegal?

I encourage you to take 15 minutes out of your day and watch this video.  It’s the wedding video of a gay couple who were “married” this summer in Minneapolis.* (If you need proof that these are Minnesotans of Scandinavian ancestry, hang till the dancing at the end. That’ll prove it to you.)  If you suffer from the “Ick Factor” when same-gendered persons kiss, this will push some buttons for you.

I’m NOT asking you to consider if this is biblical or unbiblical.  I’m asking you to consider whether it is good public policy to outlaw this:

Marriage equality is something that I’m passionate about and so I couldn’t have been more thrilled when Patrick and Scott asked me to film their wedding day. When thinking about what to write here, maybe a political statement, a witty argument, and so on, I quickly realized that nothing I could say comes close to what is communicated through watching Patrick and Scott get married while surrounded by the love and support of their friends and family. Their day was absolutely stunning and every detail was packed with signifigance and meaning, right down to the wedding cake wrapped in vintage postage stamps in honor of Patricks Grandfather who was an avid collector. The Loring Pasta Bar and The Varsity couldn’t have been more beautiful and ran more smoothly thanks to the amazing Todd and his wonderful team. It was truly a day I’ll never forget and I was so honored to have captured it. Elizabeth couldn’t have put it more eloquently during the ceremony, “When our law lags behind, people continue to live their truth and create their own version of a family, and this is what Patrick and Scott are deciding to do today.” In lieu of wedding gifts they asked guests to contact their members of congress in support of repealing the defense of marriage act – and if you could do the same that would be amazing. http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

UPDATE: When Scott and Patrick saw their film for the first time they said they wanted the whole world to see it – so it was sent out to friends, tweeted, and posted on Facebook. It then got picked up by some prominent blogs and sites and within the first week it was over 8K views in 97 countries. The response has been overwhelming and positive. Often times gay marriage and homosexuality in general can become just an issue, talking point or simple debate, but Patrick and Scott give it a face and it beautifully becomes so much more. Please continue to share this video with friends and family and celebrate the love and commitment of this amazing couple!

To purchase the songs used in this video:
Love who you love – Rascal Flatts http://itun.es/iB86T5
Lights – Ellie Goulding http://itun.es/iB86TW
Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga live on Howard Stern http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_GMgkcc2KM
Bad Romance – Lady Gaga http://itun.es/iB86Tc

http://www.vibrantfilm.com/

HT: Riley O’Brien Powell

*I put words like “married” and “marriage” in quotes, not because I’m being ironic or pissy.  These are not rhetorical quote marks.  They are to indicate that we in Minnesota are actually debating the very definition of those words.  Thus, the sentence: Here in Minnesota, we are defining the word “marriage.”  That’s why I enclose that word in quote marks…for now.