Sara and LB have twice applied for a marriage license in Hattiesburg, Mississippi as part of the WE DO Campaign You can read the story of one the couples below as told by Sara.
In January of 2013, LB and I quickly and silently climbed the Forrest County Courthouse steps to make a request that would, knowingly, not come to fruition. We asked our home state to recognize our legal Connecticut marriage license the same way they recognize a heterosexual couple’s legal Connecticut marriage license. However, we were not prepared for the deep heartbreak we experienced, as we were both recorded as single individuals. It was then that we realized those courthouse steps were boundless and that we would have to continue to climb these steps, over and over, until the structure was changed.
As this round of the WE DO Campaign has swung into full effect, I found myself taking an interstate exit into the small town of Poplarville, Mississippi to stand in support of a beautiful and loving couple that deserves every protection marriage would grant to them. I expected to be moved by their story, but I didn’t expect to be knocked off my feet by my own.
You see, Poplarville was not some strange town or just another place on the map to me, but instead had been etched into my heart and mind throughout my childhood. I gathered my courage as I drove past the road that would have lead me to my grandmother’s house. In this place, I celebrated every Christmas, hid Easter eggs in the old pecan trees, and ate Thanksgiving meals. I could still see her house in my mind. I saw the beautiful trees in the front yard, the hunter green front door, and the family photos hanging in the hall. I could hear the fire crackling and smell the coffee brewing.
Then, I saw my grandmother. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, alone in a big empty house. I could hear her soft humming of random church hymns, the same humming that had lulled me to sleep so many times. Although these memories were flooding in, I knew that these images were partially reality and at that very moment my grandmother still sat in that house. I kept driving.
I passed the Sunflower where my Pawpaw and I always got our milk. As I got further downtown, the familiar streets reminded me of the Blueberry festivals I used to love so much. I saw the building that had housed the Jubilee Theatre and realized that it was there that I developed my love for the stage. I kept driving.
With tears streaming down my face, I realized that I was being reunited with the town that helped to build me. It had given me my southern accent, made me strong willed, and taught me to use my imagination. I could not deny my heritage any longer.
For years I had felt rejected by this town, as though I was a defective product and not good enough to remain on the shelf. Those streets did not belong to me anymore, but to them. I had given up my memories, my streets, and my family for one simple reason: I was in love.
I parked and got out of the car at the old library. I gathered my thoughts. We prayed, we sang, and we began our march. I stood in silence at the courthouse. My thoughts were swirling, trying to make meaning of these emotions. When they walked out, we cheered. I saw Jasmine, who works for the Campaign for Southern Equality, and then it hit me.
This town, these emotions were the very reason we take these actions. I have just as much right to those streets and my memories as anyone else. When the government promotes discrimination, it only makes it that much easier for families and friends to do the same. I should be able to love my spouse in any city or state in America without being disadvantaged by the government. I will continue to fight for what is obviously mine. I will continue to take these actions.
On July 12th 2013, I will once again climb those Forrest County Courthouse steps with my “prince charming.” I know we will not make it to the top this time, but one day a change will come. I hope that we can be a part of that change.
Will you stand in support of us?
Send Sara and LB a message of support here.
Six couples (including Sara and LB) applied for a marriage license on July 12, 2013 as part of the WE DO Campaign. Read coverage from the Hattiesburg American here.
The WE DO Campaign involves LGBT couples requesting – and being denied – marriage licenses in their hometowns across the South in order to call for full equality under federal law and to resist unjust state laws. We’re honored to be standing with LGBT people and allies for these WE DO actions across Mississippi:
- July 10: Poplarville and Gulfport
- July 12: Hattiesburg
- July 15: Jackson
- July 18: Tupelo
