June 26, 2015

What I witnessed the day love won in Tennessee

Media watch as Metro councilwoman and mayoral candidate Megan Barry, center, performs the first same-sex marriage in Davidson County between Lauren Mesnard, 25, and Nikki VonHaeger, 26, at the Davidson County Clerk's office in Nashville on June 26, 2015, after the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned state bans on same-sex marriage.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on this beautiful day to witness the union of holy matrimony. This is a day of great celebration and reverence, on which we come together to recognize and commemorate the sacred love and dedication shared between two people.

These are the words I have used to begin the marriage ceremonies of so many couples over the last 22 years. All marriages are as unique as the individuals getting married - but a day I remember most was June 26th, 2015, the day the US Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage.

So many couples showed up that day to avail themselves of a fundamental right that been denied to them. There was so much joy and happiness.

We live in a time where fundamental rights are being rolled back each day - a right to due process, a right to free speech and peaceful assembly, a women’s right to choose what to do with her body - rights we’ve believed were guaranteed and rights we didn’t have to fight for any more. Let’s make sure the right to marry isn’t next.

Keep fighting!

Spectators and media look on as Metro councilwoman and mayoral candidate Megan Barry performs the first same-sex marriage in Davidson County between Lauren Mesnard, 25, and Nikki VonHaeger, 26, at the Davidson County Clerk's office in Nashville on June 26, 2015, after the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned state bans on same-sex marriage.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean