What NOT to Say at a Same Sex Wedding

Here is a great post by The Knot about what to avoid saying at a same sex wedding. People are well meaning, but they sometimes can inadvertently say something that can dampen the mood on such a happy day.

Ricky Martin: Mom & Dad

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Although not a huge fan, I always thought Ricky Martin was a fun pop singer with catchy tunes – and he’s very easy on the eyes. After he came out, I started to pay more attention. I realized how important and daring it was to be out as a popular Latino heartthrob.

This past March, my husband and I travelled to NYC to get married. I was looking for a Broadway Show to see, and heard that a friend from my high school days was in the new production of Evita. I had done a Summer Theater production of Anything Goes in 1980 with Rebecca Eichenberger. She was the most talented singer I’d ever heard.

I got tickets and contacted her through Facebook to see if we could meet up after the show. In the back of my mind I thought, “Ricky Martin will be interesting as Che, but he’ll never pull it off vocally.”. How wrong I was!
I knew Becky would be amazing, and she was. As Evita’s mother, her voice rang out and I remembered how transfixed I was the first time I hear her sing in a production of No No, Nanette when I was in high school. What took me by surprise was Che.

Mr. Martin did a great job. He had great stage presence and sang the role beautifully. After the show, we went out with Becky for a drink. She said Ricky was so personable, humble and had a personal connection with everyone in the show.

Wow! Looks, talent, advocate, mom, dad and a nice guy to boot. Who could ask for anything more…. Except maybe an autograph…. Next time!

Question of the Gay

If you’re married or planning on it, do you call your spouse husband/wife or partner or something else?

Good News Out of Africa

There has been a string of terrible anti LGBT news from Africa for a long time.  For the first time since South Africa legalized Same Sex Marriage in 2006, there is some positive movements toward LGBT rights in Africa.  The new president of Malawi, Joyce Banda announced last week during her state of the nation address:

“Indecency and unnatural acts laws shall be repealed,” said the former vice-president, referring to legislation that criminalises same-sex relationships.

Its another indication that, even in a rabid anti-gay area of the world like Africa, strides toward acceptance are happening.

Read the article here.

Support for Marriage Equality is Growing

A recent poll shows that a strong majority of New Hampshire voters support marriage equality. It seems that support grows by the day. Conservatives in the legislature tried and failed to repeal the marriage law in NH earlier this year.

I know equality is coming, but until DOMA is repealed, true equality won’t happen. I should be more patient, but for me and my husband the clock is ticking. His student visa ends when he finishes his degree in 3 years. Come on America, keep the momentum going!

Read the article about NH here.