My first gay wedding! - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

beckyg · 26th Jul 2009, 10:10 AM

Last night I was invited to the wedding of my friends Beki and Tina. Tina came to PFLAG when she first came out totally devastated and lost. She had just came out to her fundamentalist preacher husband. She was worried about her 3 children. Her husband was making life hell for her. She eventually got a divorce and found Beki via a man named Craig. (lol - AKA Craigslist) Beki had been through her own struggles. She was a former Jehovah's Witness! Beki was disowned by everyone in her family except for her brother who was at the ceremony last night. Beki's three children are not allowed to have anything to do with her because of their Jehovah's Witness upbringing. They really just have a heartbreaking story. They both came and shared it at a PFLAG meeting a few months ago. They had the room in tears.

Beki and Tina do have a happy ever after. They fell in love and took advantage of Oregon's domestic partnership law back in November. They were #77 in their county. They said it all seemed so non-monumental. They wanted to have a real ceremony celebrating their love. They decided on a "Jumpin' the Broom" ceremony which I was invited to last night. "Jumpin the Broom" is a tradition that was practiced in Ireland when a priest was unavailable to perform nuptials. It was also used in American history by slaves when it was illegal for them to marry. The jumping of the broom is to signify a jump into a new life and relationship. Cool, huh?

They both introduced their family that was there. Beki introduced her brother and Tina introduced her Dad and his partner. Tina's Dad was very supportive in her coming out. She cried when thanking him for his support.

Well we all signed ribbons with our blessings which were tied to the broom. Beki and Tina each read what they had written about their relationship. Beki read a beautiful poem. She was crying. We were crying. I'm telling you this was the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended. When they were done, they held hands and jumped over the broom that was held by Tina's Dad and Beki's brother with the blessings we had written them. I LOVED IT! I'm crying now remembering it all last night.

One thing that Tina said really resonated with me. She said that she had never believed in reincarnation before but she truly believes that she and Beki loved eachother before. Their love was that strong and that powerful that there is no other explanation. I totally believe in soulmates. I'm so happy that they get to share their life together and one day, they WILL have marriage.

GhostDog · 26th Jul 2009, 10:24 AM

Awwww.

Just... awwww.

Awwww.

(No, no coherence from me. Just awww.)

It sucks that both of their families gave them a hard time about it, but at least they get their happily ever after. =D

Black Cat · 26th Jul 2009, 11:15 AM

That's so great that they found one another, I wish them all the best.

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Just reading your description of their ceremony filled me with happiness.

carrie90 · 26th Jul 2009, 02:41 PM

awww that was so nice to read i hope there happy sound's like they will be

silentsound · 26th Jul 2009, 03:04 PM

aww that's such a sweet story I am so happy for them

Mickey · 26th Jul 2009, 03:10 PM

That was a beautiful story! I wish them the best. It's sad about their families and kids,though.

George · 26th Jul 2009, 04:08 PM

**Rosina** · 26th Jul 2009, 04:57 PM

I've never heard of a 'Jumping the Broom' cerrimony before, and Ireland's really close to me XD I guess we keep ourselves to ourselves, the only thing they share is beer XD

That sounded like such a beautiful day, I can honestly say that I want to incorporate something as unique and special like that in my wedding day.

Aww, lovely story, thanks so much for sharing!

Glunn11 · 26th Jul 2009, 05:12 PM

That story is absolutely beautiful, becky! It's great to hear such great happy endings.

26th Jul 2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George

Lmfao!

And yes...awesome, awesome love story!

**EM68** · 26th Jul 2009, 06:26 PM

That is a nice story Becky. I got chills reading it. Hopefully she can she her kids soon. I know it can be hard with Jehovah's Witnesses. My grandparents on my dad's side where Jo Ho's. They both passed away becasue of their beliefs.

Alex19 · 27th Jul 2009, 05:36 AM

good for them! im so happy!

27th Jul 2009, 05:52 AM

awwe, such a sweet story and great way to celebrate the love between two people.

26th Jul 2009, 10:10 AM	#1
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	My first gay wedding! Last night I was invited to the wedding of my friends Beki and Tina. Tina came to PFLAG when she first came out totally devastated and lost. She had just came out to her fundamentalist preacher husband. She was worried about her 3 children. Her husband was making life hell for her. She eventually got a divorce and found Beki via a man named Craig. (lol - AKA Craigslist) Beki had been through her own struggles. She was a former Jehovah's Witness! Beki was disowned by everyone in her family except for her brother who was at the ceremony last night. Beki's three children are not allowed to have anything to do with her because of their Jehovah's Witness upbringing. They really just have a heartbreaking story. They both came and shared it at a PFLAG meeting a few months ago. They had the room in tears. Beki and Tina do have a happy ever after. They fell in love and took advantage of Oregon's domestic partnership law back in November. They were #77 in their county. They said it all seemed so non-monumental. They wanted to have a real ceremony celebrating their love. They decided on a "Jumpin' the Broom" ceremony which I was invited to last night. "Jumpin the Broom" is a tradition that was practiced in Ireland when a priest was unavailable to perform nuptials. It was also used in American history by slaves when it was illegal for them to marry. The jumping of the broom is to signify a jump into a new life and relationship. Cool, huh? They both introduced their family that was there. Beki introduced her brother and Tina introduced her Dad and his partner. Tina's Dad was very supportive in her coming out. She cried when thanking him for his support. Well we all signed ribbons with our blessings which were tied to the broom. Beki and Tina each read what they had written about their relationship. Beki read a beautiful poem. She was crying. We were crying. I'm telling you this was the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended. When they were done, they held hands and jumped over the broom that was held by Tina's Dad and Beki's brother with the blessings we had written them. I LOVED IT! I'm crying now remembering it all last night. One thing that Tina said really resonated with me. She said that she had never believed in reincarnation before but she truly believes that she and Beki loved eachother before. Their love was that strong and that powerful that there is no other explanation. I totally believe in soulmates. I'm so happy that they get to share their life together and one day, they WILL have marriage. __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

26th Jul 2009, 10:24 AM	#2
GhostDog is Spartacus. Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: MAGICAL. Out Status: The hiiills are aliiive with the sound of muuusic! Location: DFW area, Texas Age: 24 Posts: 2,503 Join Date: Apr 2009	Re: My first gay wedding! Awwww. Just... awwww. Awwww. (No, no coherence from me. Just awww.) It sucks that both of their families gave them a hard time about it, but at least they get their happily ever after. =D __________________ <3 Kirah, who may or may not be made of delicious candy (and the lesbians)

26th Jul 2009, 11:15 AM	#3
Black Cat As Seen On Hoarders... Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: This cat is out of the bag - I mean closet Location: Pennsylvania, with the cows Age: 21 Posts: 2,391 Join Date: Jun 2009	Re: My first gay wedding! That's so great that they found one another, I wish them all the best. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Just reading your description of their ceremony filled me with happiness. __________________ "Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." - Mr. Magorium

26th Jul 2009, 02:41 PM	#4
carrie90 The square root of 4 is rainbows Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Gay Out Status: everybody really Location: Originally Montana but currently San Fransisco Age: 21 Posts: 1,327 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: My first gay wedding! awww that was so nice to read i hope there happy sound's like they will be __________________ I empower my Cheerios to live in fear by creating an enviorment of irrational, random terror -Sue Sylvester

26th Jul 2009, 03:04 PM	#5
silentsound Flaming Thespian Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: most people Age: 18 Posts: 2,253 Join Date: Jun 2008	Re: My first gay wedding! aww that's such a sweet story I am so happy for them __________________ ...and I can't wait to figure out what's *wrong* with me, so I can say 'this is the way I [used] to be'

26th Jul 2009, 03:10 PM	#6
Mickey Older and bolder! Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Massachusetts Age: 50 Posts: 1,775 Join Date: Aug 2008	Re: My first gay wedding! That was a beautiful story! I wish them the best. It's sad about their families and kids,though. __________________ We don't choose to be gay...we're CHOSEN!

26th Jul 2009, 04:08 PM	#7
George Banned Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 19 Posts: 2,387 Join Date: Jul 2007	Re: My first gay wedding!

26th Jul 2009, 04:57 PM	#8
Rosina An Abnormal Default EC Moderator Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: As out as the next straight kid Location: Surrey, UK Age: 19 Posts: 4,102 Join Date: Sep 2008	Re: My first gay wedding! I've never heard of a 'Jumping the Broom' cerrimony before, and Ireland's really close to me XD I guess we keep ourselves to ourselves, the only thing they share is beer XD That sounded like such a beautiful day, I can honestly say that I want to incorporate something as unique and special like that in my wedding day. Aww, lovely story, thanks so much for sharing! __________________ Hang in there, because things have always and will always change - It Gets Better Rebecca Drysdale

26th Jul 2009, 05:12 PM	#9
Glunn11 Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Best friends Location: Idaho Posts: 182 Join Date: Jun 2009	Re: My first gay wedding! That story is absolutely beautiful, becky! It's great to hear such great happy endings.

26th Jul 2009, 06:26 PM	#11
EM68 Happily Married! :) EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out and about. Location: Stoughton, Massachusetts USA Age: 43 Posts: 4,288 Join Date: Jun 2008	Re: My first gay wedding! That is a nice story Becky. I got chills reading it. Hopefully she can she her kids soon. I know it can be hard with Jehovah's Witnesses. My grandparents on my dad's side where Jo Ho's. They both passed away becasue of their beliefs. __________________ I'm beautiful in my way, 'Cause God makes no mistakes I'm on the right track, baby I was Born This Way -Lady Gaga

27th Jul 2009, 05:36 AM	#12
Alex19 who else but me? Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: homo Out Status: I think everyone knows by now Location: New York Age: 21 Posts: 1,301 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: My first gay wedding! good for them! im so happy! __________________ "It's always darkest before dawn."

27th Jul 2009, 05:52 AM	#13
ELusiveMuse Guest Posts: n/a	Re: My first gay wedding! awwe, such a sweet story and great way to celebrate the love between two people.

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