What do you do after you’ve worked yourself out of a job? Throw a party at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center! Marriage Equality USA did just that in New York City, just 2 days before the 1 year anniversary of the Obergefell arguments at the Supreme Court.

This is what two decades of campaign swag and photos look like.

  

Every organization displays a thank-you note from the President at their closing celebration, right?

Current (and final!) MEUSA Executive Director and his fiancé Jonathan were game for my questions.

I’d like to submit as my thesis that this series of photos visually depicts Brian’s commitment to quality and attention to detail and gives some insight as to why the organization was so successful. “Jonathan just erased his! I need the eraser.” “It’s OK, I’m sure everything looks great.” “I’m redoing mine.” “OK, Brian.”

SCOTUS plaintiffs Joseph Vitale and Rob Talmas.

New York plaintiffs Michael Sabatino and Robert Voorheis

Congratulations to all! Marriage Equality USA as an organization is no more – but their network and resources live on as part of Freedom For All Americans. There’s plenty more work that needs to be done, and FFAA is on the job.

 

OMG! On October 6, 2014, in an unexpected non-decision, the Supreme Court denied cert in several marriage cases, immediately bringing equality to my home state of Virginia as well as Utah, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Indiana.

“At 10:30am on November 20, we received notice that the US Supreme Court did not grant the SC Attorney General’s request for a further delay in the issuance of same sex marriage licenses. Therefore, we are now accepting applications for marriage licenses for same sex couples.

Debora Faulkner

Greenville County Probate Judge”

Well, it finally happened! South Carolina is #35!

Here’s the state seal. Translations are as follows . Below the tree: He has planted one better than the fallen” “Prepared  in Mind and Resources” Above her: “While I Breathe I Hope” “Hope”

Licenses were $35 but couples could get a pretty keepsake envelope for an extra buck.

The local Fox affiliate arrived at FIVE AM  to camp out outside. Ouch.

There was general merriment (marryment?) and adorableness, both outside…

And inside. As always, click to make ’em bigger.  Look how excited Hughston and Edward are!

 

They came back after the 24 hour waiting period with their kids. In a limo. OMG.

Couples were able to pick up their license the next day after EXACTLY 24 hours. The first couple to apply, David and Sonny, were also the first to pick up. They were 13 minutes early.

And the very last couple of the day, Steve and Dru.

Congratulations, Palmetto State residents! Thank you for all the love, and all the barbecue.

OMG! On October 6, 2014, in an unexpected non-decision, the Supreme Court denied cert in several marriage cases, immediately bringing equality to my home state of Virginia as well as Utah, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Indiana.

Arlington County held a presser with Virginia’s Attorney General, Mark Herring, and state and county elected officials.

County clerk Paul Ferguson announced that his office would begin issuing licenses immediately.

 It was amazing. It’s been a few weeks and couples have received licenses so I’m pretty sure I’m not dreaming.

Party at Arlington’s Freddie’s Beach Bar!

Tara and Michelle, 4 years, 4 months

Jody and Brian, 17 years

Rick and Joe, 16 years

Scott and Matt, 11 months and 10 days

The Unitarian Universalist Church had a celebration on Sunday, because duh!

Arlington County Chair Jay Fisette and his husband Bob Rosen, 31 years

Human Rights Campaign after party at The Dignitary

Happy 8th anniversary to Jason and Daniel!

Scott and John, 20 years

Becky squared 🙂

Sometimes the temptation to peek was unbearable.

Ariel and Nathan, 21 years

Nellie’s!

Cody and Matt, no idea because I forgot to ask. I basically forgot to ask everyone at Nellie’s.

Jason and James.

Lucy and Alex

Amanda and Angela.

SMYAL’s Fall Brunch after party

 Katy Ray and Erica, 1 year

Lisa and Tonya, friends for 20+

Crys and Tarishi, 2 years, 3 months

Congrats! Only 18 to go!

On the afternoon of May 20, 2014, a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania’s Defense Of Marriage Act, bringing marriage equality to same-sex couples in the Quaker State. I went down to City Hall in Philadelphia to photograph some of the couples who had gathered to apply for the licenses they were finally able to receive and asked them to share their favorite thing about each other.

After 5 years, Lindsay and Ashley married the first minute they could, at midnight on Friday.

Ashley and Lindsay wrote down their favorite thing about each other and showed each other.

Then shared with me.

Because of the mandated waiting period, couples only got blank licenses to fill out during the actual marriage ceremony, but that meant Joe and Steve could show off their form without revealing personal information. Yay! How could a piece of yellow paper be simultaneously the least and most exciting thing ever?

They’re both flight attendants. Really.

I loved when Alnardo couldn’t stop looking at Anthony.

William and Paul couldn’t stop smiling at each other either.

More license show-and-tell.

There was a rally that night.

Bill Slimback and Bob Sullivan, the first same-sex couple couple to marry in Vermont, were there celebrating!

Here’s a close-up of Bill’s sign

“Which number should we use?” “Put them both!”

I was an equal-opportunity photographer.

City Hall had late hours the next night. They set up chairs for couples to sit in while they waited to  be seen by a clerk.

Business as usual for most of the day.

Michael and Don did an excited interview after they applied.

They both took this pretty seriously

“Dennie, that’s not how you spell kooky!”

Then people got off work, and the room started to look like this:

At 6:06, the line went out the door.

“Can I write something sassy?”

Justin and Adam had a mini-reunion with friends.

“We’re not supposed to show each other, right?” “Right, not yet.” “OK.”

Hey!

No peeking!

Great minds think alike!

Sharon and Leann at the clerk’s desk.

Ta-da! Thanks, Philly! Congrats to all the happy couples I photographed and the many more I was not able to. I’m sorry I missed Pride!