‘Weddings’ for Gay Couples

The Los Angeles Times is to be applauded for your prominent coverage of one aspect of recognition of same-sex relationships (Part I, Dec. 7). John Dart’s article correctly explains the support that is growing among the clergy to formally recognize the love and commitment represented by our relationships. The headline correctly put “wedding” in quotes, which sadly points out that the best we can have is the acceptance of our relationships by a small group of progressive clergy. Acceptance and recognition with no social or legal standing, which is long overdue.

This lack of recognition by organized religion and society at large caused us to organize The Wedding, a demonstration for equal rights on Oct. 10, 1987, in Washington, D.C. At this event over 2,000 same-sex couples, surrounded by over 5,000 supporters, stood together proudly in the bright sunlight to tell society, our government, organized religions, and the world that we already have committed ongoing relationships.

We were there to demand that lesbian and gay domestic partners be entitled to the same rights and privileges as married heterosexual couples. The demonstration ended with a recommitment ceremony officiated by Dina Bachelor, a metaphysical minister from Los Angeles and the founder of Awakening.

Many of the participants have written to tell us that publicly standing together and proclaiming their love was one of the most important moments of their lives.

Los Angeles based Couples Inc., the National Organization for Family Diversity, is dedicated to obtaining full legal and social recognition of same-sex relationships.

We are not calling for special treatment or recognition. We only want to live and love in our self-defined family structures. We want equal rights for these families. Love makes a family. Nothing, else, nothing less.

J. CAREY JUNKIN

Executive Director

Couples Inc.

Los Angeles