Commitment Unification Ceremony 10-5-2013
As the Pride 365.0 Fort Worth Parade and celebration draws near, I’ve spent the past week preparing for my Unification ceremony prior to the parade on the courthouse steps at 11:00 AM I only ask that couples arrive early enough to get in place and settled so we can begin promptly at 11 as we have a very short window.
Yesterday, I ordered the wedding cake I will be providing to couples from Bluebonnet Bakery and will pick it up en route to the courthouse. Couples wishing to join in my parade entry #39 Texas Twins Events are asked to wear Sunday type attire or wedding dress clothing. Also, you will need to sign required release forms with parade officials.
Anne Alexander, our wedding specialist and my dear friend Tucker Taylor will be on hand to take photos that I will develop and send to couples as a gift. Unification certificates I’ve commissioned will be provided to mark the day for you as a gift.
Following, will be the service:
“I’m honored to be here and conduct this ceremony today for these couples. Helen Keller once said that the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched for they must be felt with your heart. Please join hands with partner, realize that these hands will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands, holding yours as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and in the forever. These same hands will wipe your tears of both joy and sadness. Giving you strength to hold your family together as one, may these hands be blessed this day, may they always hold each other. And lastly, when these hands are aged and wrinkled, will still be reaching for yours. These hands our your gifts to each other. Use these hands to build your future today and tomorrow, where all your dreams will come true. You are now side by side, rarely apart, hand in hand, heart to heart. God go with you.”
The Hand ceremony is commonly around a few minutes in length, while I have a short window to accommodate enough time for cake and photos, I’ve catered this ceremony for couples to view the hands of each partner as a gift.
A Dallas voice reporter called me to make a statement about why I’m doing this ceremony. My answer is not as elaborate as some might think, I’ve lost many friends over the years from the LBGT community. For years I’ve not understood why opponents to LBGT marriage feel so strongly against unions they do not understand. I will continue to pursue legalization of same sex unions as I have personally seen partners lose Survivor Rights and even the right to make burial arrangements, inability to be included on health insurance, which is why I wrote the blog Five Legal Documents every LBGT couple need.
Performing this ceremony gives recognition and validation to couples as we move forward to legalize marriage and afford ALL couples the right to choose their partners.
Building a stronger community, a kinder community, and finally, an accepting community will always be goals I continue to strive for.