By Kellee Khalil for Lover.ly
If you are a straight ally planning your wedding, it can be hard to ignore the fact that many of your friends and loved ones do not have the same marriage rights you do. That's why we love the idea of acknowledging gay and lesbian loved ones and their ongoing fight for the right to marry during a wedding. In celebration of Pride month (June), here are our favorite ways to show support for gay marriage at your straight wedding.
1. Choose a reading that supports same-sex marriage.
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One of our favorites comes from the 2003 Massachusetts Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage in the state:
"Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support. Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family. Because it fulfills yearnings for security, safe haven, and connection that express our common humanity, civil marriage is an esteemed institution and the decision whether and whom to marry is among life's momentous acts of self-definition."
2. Mention marriage equality in your program.
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If you don't have much control over the readings that will be part of your ceremony, you can put a meaningful and relevant quotation in your wedding program, along with a note acknowledging that you are grateful for the right to marry and that you hope all committed couples will have that right some day.
3. Wear white knots and invite guests to do the same.
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The white knot is a symbol of equality; it comes from the idea that everyone should be allowed to tie the knot. The bride, groom, and wedding party can all put them on in advance; then leave a basket of white knots with pins at the entrance to your wedding with a note that explains why you feel marriage equality is important and invites guests to wear a knot too.
4. Donate to a marriage equality organization.
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You can register with a charitable organization instead of registering for traditional gifts and let guests make donations on your behalf. Or take the opposite route: donate whatever you were going to spend on wedding favors to an organization like Marriage Equality USA or White Knot and have cards printed to go at each place setting to inform guests that you've gone this route. Because gay couples need legal rights more than your friends need those Jordan almonds.
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