Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us February 11, 2005 Whimsical marriages make the case By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings Linda sat at the round, cement table, head bowed with one hand stretched toward the early afternoon sky. She waited until the "illegal marriage ceremony" in front of her finished to end her silent prayer and open her eyes. "These people are making a mockery of marriage," said the Central Point woman, who would be identified only as Linda. "They're wanting to tear down the institution of marriage." Just a few feet away, nine people had just been "married" in the third of four ceremonies at Southern Oregon University celebrating national Freedom To Marry Day. Kat Belcher, an SOU senior, got hitched twice. She married a friend, but then felt inspired to tie the knot with her Subway sandwich. Another student married his backpack and several trios took vows together. "Marriage is a really solemn event," Belcher said, still holding onto one of her partners - the sandwich - after the final ceremony of the afternoon, "but it's also about fun and light stuff." Approximately 40 people, including same-sex couples, groups and a male-female pairs exchanged "a cheap trinket" and hug after promising "to laugh with and occasionally at" one another at the fifth-annual event sponsored by the Lesbian-Bi-Gay-Trans and Allies Student Union at SOU. Freedom to marry Nationwide, Freedom to Marry Day is celebrated on Feb. 12 every year. For some, the event has taken on new meaning after legislation recognizing same-sex couples as married was shot down in 11 states, including Oregon, in the November 2004 election. Around the country, marriage ceremonies, film screenings, dances and protests are planned for the official Freedom to Marry Day on Saturday. At SOU, the event took a decidingly light-hearted tone, with cake, punch and condoms served following each ceremony. However, the vows pronounced people "illegally married," noted "we may use today to laugh; we may use today to mobilize" and remembered those who have fought for same-sex marriage rights. "No one has been really vocal (against us)," said Margaret Whitcomb, an SOU junior and the co-president of the LBGTASU. "We haven't had any problems." Event organizers said most of the people at the event were associated with the LBGTASU. They said few newcomers participated in the marriage ceremony or played Marriage Jeopardy, where the audience was educated about marriage laws, history and current issues, although the lunch crowd eating in the courtyard witnessed the activities. "I knew everyone playing (jeopardy) so I joked around a lot," said Kelly Pence, an SOU junior and the other co-president of the LBGTASU. "We got a really good response from it and it was hilarious." No laughing matter Linda said she felt "told by God" to drive from Central Point to Ashland on Thursday to pray for those taking part Freedom to Marry Day celebration. She believes marriage based on love between individuals and a higher power, as well as love between a man and a woman. Those relationships hold families together. In turn, families act as building blocks for communities, states and the nation. "When you take God out of a marriage or love out of a marriage, it becomes frivolous," Linda said. "Love establishes a foundation in this country through marriage. They're eroding that foundation because they're eroding marriage." She concluded her prayers and left without approaching anyone participating in the marriage ceremonies or any of the LBGTASU members organizing the event. "Holy matrimony is God's plan for mankind," Linda said. "It's sacred. They're wanting to tear down the institution of marriage." Staff writer Jennifer Squires can be reached at 482-3456 x 3019 or [email protected]. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Women's & Men's Slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks heloc libor rate Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weightloss Products Memory Foam Mattress afsa studentloans home equity loans teleconferencing W2 Forms fasa student loans Matchmaking & Dating Scripts African Safari Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation wholesale diamonds Currancy Exchange web conferencing Online Casinos Community Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams