A wedding or commitment ceremony is a special occasion for a loving couple. Making a donation in honor of their declaration of love is a great way to celebrate their special day, but also a great way to support HRC's work.

All of these couples are now happily married! If you would like to make a contribution on behalf of these new unions and marriage equality for all couples, please click here .

Each donation made in honor of a couple's wedding or commitment ceremony will be recognized as a symbol of their family and friends' love and celebration of their union, as well as, a recognition of your commitment to equality.

If you know the wedding date of the couple, please use the following shortcuts to navigate the wedding registry archives:
Fall 2008; Winter 2008; Spring 2009; Summer 2009; Fall 2009

For questions or to add your ceremony to HRC's wedding registry, please send your name and ceremony date to Weddings@hrc.org .

George Takei and Brad Altman
September 2008

George and Brad have been lifelong partners for more than 21 years and are thrilled to be married in September at the Democracy Forum of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, where George is one of the founders. George and Brad obtained their marriage license along with other couples in West Hollywood on June 17.

George came out publicly in 2005 and serves as HRC's National Coming Out spokesperson. As strong advocates for equality, George and Brad feel that at long last, the barrier to full marriage rights for same-sex couples has been torn down. In the words of George, "May equality live long and prosper!"

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Kim and Rose
November 15, 2008

Kim and Rose met through mutual friends in Dallas in2005. They found themselves talking late into the night, sharing a pizza, and discovering that the same mutual friends who had introduced them had invited themboth to a camping trip that weekend. Kim and Rose's interest in each other sparked at the campout but then faded to a fond friendship.

Rose had standards for dating that required her partners to be employed or self-sufficient, but Rose herself was unemployed at the time. She couldn't bend the rules, even for herself, so she waited and pursued a friendship with Kim until the happy day that Rose got a new job offer. She askedKim out that very afternoon, and they've been dating ever since.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Olayinka and Candace
November 28, 2008

Olayinka and Candace met online, and they both say, "it's all history from there." Because they live in Texas, where their relationship is not recognized to the magnitude they prefer, Olayinka and Candace have decided to take the world by storm.

The legal paperwork necessary for their domestic partnership was completed on June 16, 2008. Olayinka and Candace will travel to Vermont for their civil union on July 21, 2008. On August 9, 2008, they will be surrounded by family and friends as they have a big wedding in Texas. Last, but notleast, they will legally wed in California on November 28, 2008. Not to mention, they are also raising their five-year old triplets!

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Sid and Ed have been together for 22 wonderful years. They were united in matrimony on Saturday, November 29, 2008 in the GREAT state of CONNECTICUT, where everyone's basic human rights are acknowledged. "We haveasked that gifts not be sent to us, but rather if you so desire, make a contribution to the Human Rights Campaign."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Guy & Gail and Allison & Holly
December 9, 2008

Guy and Gail are pleased to announce that their daughter, Allison, married the love of her life, Holly, on June 24, 2008 on VictoriaIsland, British Columbia. It was a beautiful sunset ceremony with just Allison,Holly, Guy, Gail, and Grams on Agate Beach. "We are all so happy that Grams wasable to be there. We know she wouldn’t have missed it for the world."

"We would like people to donate to HRC because marriage is a beautiful marvelous thing. All couples who choose to strengthen their families through marriage should be able to get married," say Guy, Gail, Allison,and Holly.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Allen and Salvatore
December 13, 2008

Allen and Salvatore met in 1990 while playing tennisand have been together ever since. They have endured long, work-related separations (Allen is a filmmaker and Salvatore is a former CPA), but they have never been out of each other's hearts. They were blessed in July 2006 with the birth oftheir son, Sebastian.

Allen and Salvatore were married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles on November 1, 2008 and will be hosting a reception for friends and family in Santa Monica on December 13, 2008.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Dianne and Rachel
December 21, 2008

Dianne and Rachel met at a party at Rachel’s house on December 21st of last year. One of Rachel’s best friends was dating a work colleague of Dianne. This woman invited Dianne to stop by Rachel’s holiday party. Even though Dianne only knew her colleague, she wanted to meet new people. Rachel had no idea who Dianne was until that evening, and because oftheir wonderful friends, the two of them met!

The couple was engaged May 2008, with each of the women asking the other one to marry her at separate occasions in the same week! Neither knew the other had planned for the same week. Dianne and Rachel have been in love since day one and are looking forward to spending the remainder of theirlives together and starting a family as soon as possible!

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Doug and Mark
December 22, 2008

Doug and Mark met at a spiritual retreat 15 years ago and, after three days, they knew they were meant to be together. They waited aweek to start dating and have been together ever since. Like Mimi in Rent, bothof them were looking for baggage that went with their own.

Mark is one of Dallas' preeminent gay Realtors, Doughas become accustomed to buying, remodeling and selling homes. But, Doug is quick to say, a house is just a building until Mark lives in it — then it's ahome. Doug is a graphic/media artist and marketing professional who currently serves as the director of a Dallas ad agency. In their spare time, they enjoy reading, watching movies, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and playing with their mini-dachshunds, Roxie Hart and Seymour Krelborn. And if you haven't figured it out by now, they love the theater. Doug and Mark frequent stagesfrom Dallas and Fort Worth to New York and London. (Doug's gay uncle and his partner were two of Marilyn Monroe's 'Diamonds' dancers).

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Lissa and Ana
February 13, 2009

Lissa and Ana, both psychology majors, met in college at San Diego State University more than twelve years ago. During college, theybegan working on a research project together and fast became close friends. A little more than a year later, they realized that their friendship had blossomed into a suprising romance.

Years later, Ana joined Lissa in Ohio, where she wasattending graduate school, and they lived together for several years. They havesince moved to Boston, Massachusetts where they have now lived for more than three years.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Tara and Angel
February 14, 2009

Tara and Angel met in early 2003 at the beginning ofsoftball season in San Diego. The attraction was immediate. Tara asked Angel out on a date at their first game, and they have been inseparable ever since. Living their entire lives in San Diego, the couple decided to move to Seattle three years ago.

Tara is a first grade teacher and Angel is a sales executive. They recently purchased their first home, and currently live with their two cats, Duncan and Ella, and their two dogs, Haylie and Porter. Tara and Angel are honored to celebrate their union with family and friends when they officially marry on February 14, 2009.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Paul and John
March 20, 2009

Paul and John met in Texas while Paul was rescuing his lesbian mothers from their teenage daughter's craziness; she is her reward, they now say, for coming to their aid. "The truth is, we are grateful for every day we have building, playing and working it all out together."

"We want to contribute to HRC because we are grateful for what we have and want our friends and family to express that happiness in a constructive way," say Paul and John.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Blaise and Lydia
March 22, 2009

Blaise and Lydia met at Oberlin College in 2004, mere weeks before Lydia's graduation. Blaise commented on Lydia's hip Chaco sandals, and Lydia remembered him as the cute boy with curly hair she had seen riding past on his bike -- the one that had given her stomach butterflies. This sweet and playful beginning has seen them through the challenges of a long distance relationship and the turbulence of early professional life, and is now with them as they continue to build a life together.

Blaise and Lydia see their marriage as an opportunity to engage in dialogue with friends and family about family diversity and promote equality in both their political and personal lives.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Lynne and Gail
March 28, 2009

Gail and Lynne met and fell in love in 2003. On September 6, 2008, they were legally married in Yosemite, California. Along with five dear friends and family members, they backpacked along the Tuolumne River to beautiful Glen Aulin, spent the night in their tents, then had the ceremony the next day. Both of the brides looked a bit disheveled, Gail was sick with a 24-hour bug, and Lynne dropped the rings, "but we didn't care about any of that," Lynne says. "All that mattered was that we were marrying each other, in the presence of people we love."

On March 28, friends and family from near and far will witness Gail and Lynne affirm their vows and join in a celebration of their marriage. Gail and Lynne are excited, and feel honored to have so many people from out of town driving or flying to Los Angeles for the big day.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Dave and Geoff
March 28, 2009

Dave and Geoff had a wedding ceremony on January 2, 2009 in Eastham, MA. Their big wedding party took place in Chicago on March 28, 2009 with family and friends coming from all over the US.

Dave is a corporate finance executive and Geoff works as a senior IT consultant while he pursues his MBA at University of Chicago. Dave and Geoff live in Chicago, IL and Cape Cod, MA. They met three years ago in San Francisco at a Giants baseball game at Pac Bell Park. They were engaged back in February 2008.

Dave has a daughter from a previous marriage, and now, Dave and Geoff are excitedly expecting twin baby girls in July of 2009!

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Debbie and Betsy
April 4, 2009

We met during college, four and a half years ago. We worked two doors away from one another. We became instant friends and spent as much time together as possible. We soon fell in love and the rest is "herstory".

We have made a commitment to one another for life and by donating to HRC, you can help to make our life commitment of love legally recognized.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

PL and Judy
April 7, 2009

PL and Judy first met in Champaign, Illinois in 2000. They both soon realized that they wanted to spend their lives together. PL moved to Rockford and for over a year, they commuted back and forth (more than three hours each way) to see each other almost every weekend, since Judy was still living in Champaign.

"We are deeply saddened by the setback of Proposition 8 but we will move forward with our wedding. Our friends and family have been amazing in their support and commitment to our wedding and our relationship. We are so excited for our celebration and we can't wait for April." PL and Judy have guests coming from Illinois, Florida, Ohio and Oregon. "We can't believe how many of our closest friends and family are standing up with us."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Mark and Jeanette
April 17, 2009

Mark and Jeanette met in graduate school, but started dating after she moved two states away. They are both ordained ministers - Mark is ordained in the PCUSA denomination and Jeanette is an ordained Baptist minister. "The ethos of so many churches is to exclude rather than include, which is completely counter to the message of love and justice we both understand to be the gospel."

Mark and Jeanette care deeply about justice issues and this includes civil rights for their LGBT sisters and brothers. They would love folks to contribute to their wedding by working towards equal rights for all loving couples who wish to marry and support the political and social movement of the Human Rights Campaign. Their wedding will have both religious and civil recognition - that is a gift they'd like to give others as well.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Sonya and Kris
April 27, 2009

Sonya and Kris were married on April 27th, 2009 in Stratford, CT. This was exactly one year after Sonya won over Kris. They have two children between them and will be adopting another later this year to finalize their family.

Sonya and Kris want people to donate to HRC in lieu of traditional gifts because "we believe marriage should be a right for ALL people, not just heterosexuals and many transgendered folks."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Amber and Amy
May 2, 2009

Amy and Amber met in 1996 and have been devoted to each other ever since. Early on they decided not to have a commitment ceremony because they wanted to wait until their union would receive legal recognition. Thirteen years later, Connecticut established the right for same-sex couples to marry and New York's Governor Paterson signed an executive order giving legal recognition to same sex marriages from other states. They are delighted to finally make it legal before their family and friends, and want to do what they can to support those who are fighting so hard for marriage equality the central civil rights issue of our time.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Brian and Gordon
May 16, 2009

Brian and Gordon make their home in Cincinnati, Ohio and both of them have backgrounds in the arts. In fact, they met while working on the same production, and with a little nudging from other cast members, they began dating. In June of 2008, Brian and Gordon took advantage of a long planned trip to California and had an impromptu civil wedding ceremony in San Jose - taking advantage of the California Supreme Court's then recent ruling. Now it is time to hold a covenant ceremony so that Brian and Gordon's family and friends will be able to witness their vows of commitment to each other. On the day of their covenant ceremony they will be celebrating ten years since their first date.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Tiffany and Amy
May 22, 2009

Tiffany and Amy met in 2006 at a bonfire. As their friendship blossomed into a wonderful relationship, they grew inseparable. After realizing that no other relationship would come close to what they had, Tiffany and Amy decided to get engaged. As many of you know, the state of Tennessee doesn't allow same-sex marriage/rights...etc... Tiffany and Amy knew in their hearts that nothing could stop them from loving one another. So May 22, 2009, Tiffany and Amy decided to head to Cocoa Beach, Florida along with family, friends, and GOD to join as one with their Commitment.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Rob and Brian
May 24, 2009

Rob proposed to Brian under the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower last November. Their big wedding day is May 24^th, 2009 in their hometown of San Francisco.

They're both excited to be playing a part in this historic moment for LGBT rights. They want to do everything they possibly can to win this battle.

Rob said, "We want this to last a lifetime. Please help HRC preserve marriage equality. All of our pledges will make a difference."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Dawn and Meg
May 30, 2009

Dawn and Meg were introduced through mutual friends. Dawn had a very decided career in orthopedics, and Meg was in school with an undecided major. They valued their friendship immensely and spent every Monday together on 'date' day in lengthy conversation at local coffee shops, shopping and talking music all around midtown, snowboarding all over the Sierra (after Meg taught Dawn) and spending time at their mutual church - the ocean.

Dawn and Meg realized at a certain point that they were planning their entire weeks and months around these Mondays, and couldn't deny how decidedly together they needed to be. In almost six years since then, Dawn still loves her career in orthopedic surgery, and Meg found her calling in social work. They still spend entire days in deep conversation, snowboarding any chance they get and, at every opportunity, ascribe to their church services by the sea.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Karen and Kim
May 30, 2009

When Karen and Kim met through a mutual friend, the sparks flew immediately. They fell in love soon thereafter, and have spent two and a half years since working out the logistics. Both recovering romantics, they live and work in Asheville, NC where they enjoy all the biking, hiking, trail running, and camping their beautiful town has to offer.

Karen and Kim believe weddings are about declaring their love to each other and to their community. They have radically opposed ideals as to what they call the day: Karen feels that they should "marry" to fight the system. Kim feels they should "commit" because we are excluded from the system, and therefore shouldn't pretend to conform.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Matt and Steve
June 6, 2009

Matt and Steve met in 1996 while taking a music class at the University of California, Davis. After a year of dating, they moved in together as Steve finished up his degree, and they have lived together ever since. In 1999, the couple moved to Sacramento to pursue their graduate degrees, and have made a happy home with their two cats, Lilia and Lana, and their dog, Riley. When they're not traveling the world, Matt enjoys playing tennis in the Sacramento heat, and Steve pursues his first love -- gymnastics.

They became engaged on their 12th anniversary while vacationing in Boston, and were legally married two months later in a private ceremony. The couple will celebrate their marriage with family and friends on June6, 2009, their 13th anniversary.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

April and Nikki
June 12, 2009

April and Nikki will be getting married on June 12, 2009.

April: "Nikki came through the drive-through of where I was working while going through my first year of college. She is the most amazing woman. She knows how to make me feel loved and protected."

Nikki: "April is the most beautiful and intelligent woman I have ever met in my life. I knew the first time I saw her that I loved her. Every time I look into her beautiful eyes it reminds me that God made this woman just for me."

April and Nikki want people to donate to HRC instead of a traditional gift because "we deserve this, it is our right as a gay or lesbian or transgendered human being in this 'free' country we live in to have the option of marriage," say April and Nikki. "No matter what state we live in."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Kent and Wayne
June 13, 2009

Kent is an airline pilot for American Airlines and Wayne is a nurse at the Connecticut Hospice. Lydia, their Vizsla dog, is their pride and joy. They both enjoy traveling, and have recently toured the American Southwest, Kauai, Tortola, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Additionally, they have traveled the length of Canada by train, and the length of the Mediterranean by sailboat. Kent has an antique mahogany cabin cruiser that he has restored and Wayne takes pride in his travel photography.

They are being married on their 26th anniversary as a couple, and during their decades together, have weathered life-altering illness, loss of family members, wartime military service, and an unfortunate yellow sport coat.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Matthew and Bradley
June 13, 2009

Matthew and Bradley met briefly in Merced, CA in December of 2003. In January of 2004, they got to know each other better while working on "Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged" at Playhouse Merced. To Bradley, Matthew was the mysterious actor hired in, and to Matthew, Bradley was the mysterious intern running sound. By "Cabaret" in March of 2004, they knew they had something special and have been together ever since.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Kirsten and Maria
June 13, 2009

Kirsten and Maria fell in love at first sight. After a few months of nervous chats and flirting, Kirsten worked up the nerve to ask Maria out on a date. They were immediately smitten and realized how much they had in common. "We both love our families deeply, we're both traditionalists in many ways, and we feel a soulful connection to the great outdoors." In late February 2008, after nearly four years together and mere days before Kirsten turned 30, Maria surprised Kirsten with a trip to New York. While walking through Central Park, they sat in the Chess & Checkers pavilion overlooking the ice skating rink. It was here that Maria proposed to Kirsten and they excitedly said they want to spend the rest of their lives together.

"We very much believe in the HRC and want all of our friends and family to be a part of the fight for equality for EVERYONE. We are interested in any way that we can be a part of it and fight for human rights."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Steven and David
June 20, 2009

Early in March 2005, David was procrastinating from his work by browsing Match.com. David had initially responded to someone else's profile when Steven's photo popped up with a link saying, "If you liked that profile, you might like this profile..." Match.com was right!

"We feel very strongly about the incredible work that the Human Rights Campaign does every day to fight for LGBT rights. It is because of organizations like the Human Rights Campaign that we are making tremendous progress toward real equality, and we hope you will consider making a donation to support their efforts."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Sue and Susan
June 20, 2009

Sue and Susan met online. Sue had never used a service like that before but was impressed that Susan admitted her weight and was happy with the person she is, and that she did not even want to hear from anyone who couldn't be happy in herself. Sue and Susan seemed to be a fit in spiritual matters, which was very important to both. They wrote and spoke for a couple of months before they actually met.

"So many of our loved ones gave us gifts for our commitment ceremony and the only gift we ask this time from those attending will be to put blessings and good wishes into our singing bowl, a tradition we started in 2001. Now that we are able to have marriage in the eyes of the state and enjoy the benefits of being a full member of society, we would like others to have that same opportunity wherever LGBT people still have to fight for that right. We feel that the fight must be carried on until we all have the federal rights."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Terri and Cindy
June 21, 2009

Terri and Cindy have been together for 37 years and celebrated their love for one another in a private marriage ceremony on June 21,2006 in Vancouver, BC. Terri was introduced to Cindy by a friend in Oklahoma City in 1971. Falling madly in love with one another, they have spent more than half their lives together.

Terri is a retired high school administrator and Cindy is a customer service specialist in Oklahoma City. "Getting married, even in another country, was the most wonderful experience of our lives and we are very happy to know that now our marriage will be recognized in California also," say Terri and Cindy. "To commemorate our Canadian marriage, we will be renewing our vows by having an American marriage ceremony in San Francisco on June 21, 2009."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Sandra and Renee
June 27, 2009

Sandra and Renee met online in 2006. They completed their domestic partnership on June 27th, 2008 in West Hollywood, California and will be married on the one-year anniversary of their domestic partnership on June 27th, 2009 in San Pedro, California. They will be surrounded by family and friends on their special day.

Sandra is a Medical Laboratory Technician, Nationally Certified Phlebotomist Technician I and a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant. Renee is a Maintenance Manager for the United States Postal Service. Both ladies are looking to having a great life together.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Colleen and Lydia
June 27, 2009

Colleen and Lydia have just celebrated 3 years together. This summer, they will share their commitment to one another with family and friends. "We feel so fortunate to have grown up having witnessed our parents' relationship and love. We are also surrounded by such a supportive and loving group of people!" Please, join them in celebrating and raising support for human rights of people in love everywhere.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Kathryn and Matt
June 27, 2009

Kathryn and Matt met at Dick's Den in Columbus, Ohio ten years ago, thereby countering the popular belief that you can't find a lasting relationship by meeting someone at a bar. They have been through the Y2K scare, a minor Midwest hurricane, a case of salmonella, and a number of stress-induced household moves, and they realized that they still like being with each other. They plan to be married at their favorite local festival, Comfest.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Christopher and Jennifer
July 4, 2009

Christopher and Jennifer met in their high school creative writing class where they conceived of a religion together but, carefully refrained from stealing any prolonged, telling glances at the other for the next six years. When, at long last, the absurd veil of a longstanding platonic friendship came crashing down finally, and in a most ceremonious way.

Jen fancies colors, words, surrogate pets, and napping in the grass despite a pretty severe allergy to it. Chris enjoys coffee, horror films, punk music, and comic books. They both love to camp and pine for the day that marriage equality is truly realized. Currently, Jen works for the state of Nebraska and Chris is employed by an emergency shelter for abused and neglected children.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Tim and Kerry
July 4, 2009

Tim and Kerry met while watching the 2004 Vice Presidential Debate. They joke that their relationship was the only good thing to come out of the 2004 Presidential Election. Tim is in graduate school studying atmospheric science and Kerry is studying to be a researcher and child psychologist.

"We want everyone to have the right to publicly and legally commit to the person they love."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

David and Greg
July 19, 2009

David and Greg met as counselors at a camp. By a happy coincidence, they were both attending the same college and quickly became friends. Waiting until after graduation to ask Greg out, David had to endure the long distance until Greg joined him in Austin, Texas.

David and Greg have been together for eight years now and are excited to finally be having a commitment ceremony. "We would like people to donate to HRC to further the cause of marriage equality for people around the country."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Karl and Lauren
July 26, 2009

Karl and Lauren met at Oberlin College about six years ago. Lauren became involved in a secret birthday-cake-baking operation, in which she and her housemates baked secret birthday cakes for Karl on an almost weekly basis for several months (because they did not know the date of his actual birthday). This culminated in a surprise birthday party for Karl, followed by Karl's real birthday party a couple of months later, where Karl and Lauren finally met face-to-face.

Karl and Lauren quickly became friends, dated for awhile, and moved to San Francisco Bay Area together following graduation from college. Karl and Lauren still bake cakes for each other and look forward to spending the rest of their lives together.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Kari and John
August 7, 2009

In early October 2001, Kari and John were both hired as employees at the Hamline University Bookstore. After four plus years as coworkers and friends, John returned from living abroad in China and they found themselves both single and living in the same city. Kari and John's good friend and fellow Hamline Alum - the amazing and perceptive Lila - insisted that the two of them were a good match and should start dating (despite their substantial height difference). Kari and John attempted to deny it at first (even though they had been exchanging flirty Myspace messages for months), but Lila was right. Thanks, Lila!

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Marc and Joanna
August 8, 2009

Marc and Joanna fell in love in New Haven, CT in 2002, while they were still in college. Marc moved to New York, and after a year of long distance phone calls and countless trips up I-95, they reunited in Brooklyn and began building a life together."We've had seven amazing years of love, family, travel, study and hard work," say Marc and Joanna, "and we're aiming for about 50-70 more."

Marc and Joanna have long grappled with what it means to be a straight couple in a country where many of their best friends cannot get married, simply because of who they love. They thought about not marrying at all "Why join a club that wouldn't let your best friends be members?" they asked but after lengthy consideration, they decided to focus on using their wedding as a platform to educate and mobilize their loved ones to join the fight for marriage equality. They have asked for donations to HRC in lieu of gifts.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Jay and Celeste
August 8, 2009

Jay and Celeste met at Willamette University in 2001. They soon became close friends and their feelings eventually developed into a six year relationship that has spanned states and oceans. Fueled by their love of seeing new places and experiencing new cultures, Jay and Celeste have traveled together on three continents... so far.

Jay enjoys trying to fill the house with comics while Celeste collects political paraphernalia to keep up. She can't stop talking about politics while Jay just can't stop talking nonsense. They both enjoy a good book and a good hike. When not engrossed in these hobbies, they have spent time grappling with issues including spreading literacy and challenging unfair laws.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Russell and Emilie
August 15, 2009

Nearly seven years ago, Russell struck up a friendly conversation with Emilie at their college campus cafe. Since that first encounter, they've grown together as work, travel, play and life partners. Whether Russell is scuba diving off the Tanzanian coast, Emilie is running marathons, or they're trekking the Himalayas together, they realized that every moment is richer as a pair.

Russell and Emilie are thrilled to have the opportunity to make their commitment to one another both public and legal and wish these same rights and joys for all.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Lindsey and Colleen
August 22, 2009

Lindsey and Colleen met during the summer of 2001 working as camp counselors on Vashon Island, outside of Seattle. Despite the fact when Colleen first told Lindsey that she loved her, Lindsey's first reaction was to laugh (they chalk it up to sheer happiness), Colleen said yes when Lindsey proposed at a riverside picnic. After more than seven years together, Colleen and Lindsey were ready to set a date.

Collen and Lindsey currently live in Washington D.C.but will celebrate their love by holding their wedding on Vashon Island, on the same shores where they first met. They will follow their ceremony with a honeymoon in Vancouver (where they will also become legally married).

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Sasha and Claire
August 22, 2009

Sasha and Claire met in high school. Now old and gray, they've been living together for three years and have decided they'd like to grow even older and even grayer together.

Why get married? Romantic as it might be, they still believe that a depth of intimacy can be found between two people who commit to spending their lives together in love. A life commitment is not easily made, however, and is greatly helped by the legal and cultural protections that marriage provides, and by its public celebration in the form of a wedding ceremony witnessed by friends and family. These forms of support are part of why the legal institution of marriage can be one to uphold, rather than transcend or abandon.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Erica and Jason
August 23, 2009

Erica and Jason met ballroom dancing almost 15 years ago. Their journeys have crisscrossed between being together and apart, and they finally have decided to get married. Erica is a "recovering" electrical engineer who works in business development and marketing and has just finished an MBA. She's very involved in Jewish Renewal movement. Jason is a United Church of Christ minister, and is working on a PhD. He's studied queer theology and pastoral counseling.

"It is unjust and immoral that we're allowed to marry simply because we are different genders, while same-gender couples cannot.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Randy and John
August 25, 2009

Randy and John met in their church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco, Texas. As their friendship grew, they decided to escalate the nature of their friendship and became "a couple." Two years later, they flew to Connecticut and got married. The ceremony was performed by a minister in Randy and John's church denomination. It was a wedding on a beach at sunrise.

"Our church was elated. They threw a wedding shower in our honor. We are the token gay couple at our church."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Amy and Laurel
September 5, 2009

Amy and Laurel met in college when they both became members of the College Democrats. They were friends for about two years before they fell in love. They were celebrating their first anniversary when Laurel asked Amy, "Assuming we could, would you marry me?" Amy said yes and asked Laurel if she would. Laurel said yes. Later that day, Laurel explained that this was her proposal! They are having a ceremony but it won't be a legal union since their state has not legalized same-sex marriage yet.

"We are asking people to donate to HRC instead of using a typical registry because we have lived together for a year now and do not need any more 'things.'"

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Cynthia and Kristy
September 5, 2009

Cynthia and Kristy met in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2007 for a date during March Madness. They were supposed to be watching the Final Four game, but spent most of the time talking and getting to know each other better. Over the next few hours, Cynthia and Kristy walked around Cambridge and had an amazing dinner, feeling so comfortable with each other. Since then, they have been inseparable.

"Living in Massachusetts, we have the right to marry and wish that all couples will soon."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Kerry and Graham
September 6, 2009

Kerry and Graham have a true Pittsburgh love story. Though they knew about each other for a while, it took the Steelers to bring Kerry and Graham together. Shortly after celebrating the Steelers Super Bowl XL victory together, they began dating. No physical distance - not Kerry's temporary move to Colorado, nor Graham's to North Carolina - has been able to pull them apart.

"On the joyous occasion of our wedding, we are acutely aware that the benefits of a legally acknowledged union are not available to everyone. In support of all of the committed couples whose relationships are not yet appropriately recognized, we ask for donations to further the campaign to achieve equal rights for all."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Andrea and Jeromy
September 9, 2009

Andrea and Jeromy met while attending high school in Upstate NY in 1992. Even though they occasionally went their separate ways to explore the universe, they always maintained a strong friendship, and it grew as time went on.

The happy couple moved to Las Vegas together in 2007 and quickly realized that they were right where they were supposed to be, with the perfect person to be there with. Initially, the idea of marriage was lost on Andrea and Jeromy - they had come this far without a 'piece of paper' and the exclusion of dear friends and family members from this straight-person's club, with all of its rights and privileges, never felt right.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Tom and Brett
September 19, 2009

Almost 20 years have passed since Tom and Brett first met on a lunch date on November 17, 1989 at the Sports Page in downtown Cincinnati. Within a year, they were living a life as a partnered gay couple. Their careers led them to leave the Queen City and move to Northeast Ohio where they live today. Avid dog lovers, they have shared their lives with their pets and continue to love them as their family. They are active in their church, community, and enjoy a wide circle of friends.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Jeff and Joelle
September 19, 2009

Jeff and Joelle are both ministers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Jeff moved to upstate New York from West Virginia in 2006; Joelle moved there from California in 2007. They met shortly thereafter, at a presbytery committee meeting. Jeff and Joelle started dating two months later, growing more deeply in love with each passing day. They have three children in their blended family.

"God requires us to work for justice and equality for all people in our society; to do otherwise is to violate the command of Scripture to show equal and impartial justice to all (Deuteronomy 16:19-20). Yet in our society, justice is denied to our LGBT friends, since they alone do not have the legal right to marry the person of their choosing."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Becky and Curtis
September 26, 2009

Becky and Curtis first met at a summer program called "A Trinity Summer" between their junior and senior years in high school. They then reconnected at Trinity University during their freshman year, where they became fast friends, meeting regularly to eat bad bagels and watch The Daily Show at night.

They also worked together on several theater productions. Becky and Curtis remained friends until they returned from their respective semesters abroad: Curtis in Australia, Becky in Kenya. It was upon returning that they first started dating. In the six years they have been together they have finished college, started grad school, spent a year long distance, acquired an awesome dog, and moved to New Zealand. Now they're getting hitched!

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Chris and Denise
September 26, 2009

Chris lived and traveled all over the country before she landed in Massachusetts. Here, she worked in retail management for several years, where she honed her customer service skills. These skills unexpectedly opened the door to playing women's pro-football and to meeting the love of her life. A little more than three years ago, Denise walked into Chris' store looking for a product. She didn't find that product, but what she did find was the woman that she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

"We feel so blessed to live in a state that recognizes our love and commitment to each other. We're so grateful to organizations, such as HRC, who work so hard fighting for equality. We hope you will donate to such a worthy cause so that someday soon, all couples in all states will be able to have their love and commitment to each other recognized legally and publicly."

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Monica and Brooke
September 26, 2009

Monica and Brooke met in autumn of 1999 during their first year of undergrad at Ohio State, where they were suitemates in their dorm. Both of them lost their grandmothers during that year, and while helping each other cope, they became best friends and eventually a couple. Initially, they both had a hard time accepting their feelings for one another, but the love that grew was undeniable. Monica and Brooke continued to persevere and eventually accepted their love for each other, and their own selves. They haven't looked back!

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Owen and Deanna
September 27, 2009

Owen and Deanna met when they worked in different offices of an international company. After 8 months of flying back and forth across the Atlantic, Owen moved stateside to be with Deanna. Since then, they've been happy together and are ready to tie the knot. Owen and Deanna are strong advocates for marriage equality and thought it was fitting that they celebrate their union by helping others have the same chance they do.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Rex and Barry
September 30, 2009

In 1992, Rex and Barry met during a college activist leadership retreat. They were paired as partners on a trust walk. They have been together ever since. Barry is a proud supporter of the HRC and continues his career in the non-profit sector doing mostly gay rights organizing. He has started an organization devoted to helping LGBT Africans with coming out advocacy. Rex makes a living as a graphic designer doing mostly DVD menus and websites. In his free time, he makes waves as a champion marathon runner for charity. Rex has competed in over 30 marathons!

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Chris and Sarah
October 3, 2009

If Google Maps had an application that allowed you to track all the places two people have been over the course of their lives, it would have seemed like Chris and Sarah were crossing paths years before they actually met one another. But that fateful day didn't come until June of 2002, when they both decided to take a silk screening class at MassArt in Boston.

Chris and Sarah became class partners and suddenly, they were seeing each other EVERYWHERE... at their favorite hangouts, at shows, and at the art store. They had to wonder how their meeting hadn't happened sooner. It wasn't long before Chris and Sarah became partners in life as well.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Davide and Rich
October 4, 2009

Davide and Rich met in the summer of 2008 the "new-fashioned" way online! Davide was drawn to Rich's profile and they quickly learned through email and phone conversations that they had many things in common, including fatherhood. Davide's children are now having their own kids and Rich has 8 year old twins. Through the first few months of dating, they spent many hours on the phone getting to know one another. Rich popped the question at Christmas and the couple planned for a fall 2009 wedding.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Amanda and Aaron
October 10, 2009

Attending several engineering classes together at Boston University is where it all started for Aaron and Amanda. They remained friends throughout college, and started dating after Aaron graduated, when, at a 4thof July BBQ, he (finally) realized that Amanda had feelings for him. After dating for a year they moved in together, and consequently they already feel like they've been married for a while!

Aaron and Amanda were somewhat conflicted about getting married when some of their friends couldn't. However, in support of their gay friends, they decided to take advantage of the opportunities that they have. In result, they are incorporating elements into the wedding that would raise awareness, and support the movement for full gay rights. In addition to creating an HRC registry, they plan to acknowledge the issue as part of their ceremony, and pass out white knot pins as favors.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Josh and Letta
October 11, 2009

Josh and Letta's mutual friends planned to set them up, but fortunately, they met on their own when Letta sold Josh a painting at an art show. A decisive pair, they moved in together with Letta's dog, Penny, and a rescued dog, Jasper, forming a family of four in a matter of months. Josh and Letta are grateful for every day they spend together, and are happy to announce their marriage -- to take place with the support and blessings of family and friends at an intimate ceremony in October 2009.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Michael and Robert
October 11, 2009

Michael and Robert met five years ago via a mutual friend at line dancing lessons at Remingtons, DC's gay country/western bar. Several dates later they knew they were a great match. A little over a month after meeting, Michael joined Robert on a mini vacation in Wilmington, NC where Robert's parents live. One evening on that trip while walking along Wrightsville Beach, Michael and Robert first professed their love to one another. Over five years later, and many trips back to Wrightsville Beach, Michael and Robert will share their vows before about 100 family and friends at the beach.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Barry and Glenn
October 15, 2009

Barry and Glenn met during the summer of 2005 at a street fair in Chicago through mutual friends. Soon after, they began dating. After several months of dating, they developed an effortless comfort with one another and in July 2007, they began living together. In October 2008, Barry and Glenn visited New York City; while at the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, Glenn proposed to Barry, who happily accepted. They planned for a private wedding ceremony in October in Stonington, Connecticut.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Iana and Andrew
October 17, 2009

Iana first met Andrew in October 2003 when he chased her into an elevator at the Chicago International Film Festival to introduce himself. She was a film producer visiting from France. He was a publicist for the festival. The two will celebrate their union in October 2009, proving once again that "impossible" love really is possible after all.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Wiley and Meghan
October 17, 2009

In 2007, a fellowship at UC Davis brought Wiley to Meghan's hometown of Sacramento, California. They met, fell in love, and knew they wanted to share their lives and build a family together. Experiencing the joy of having the opportunity to celebrate their legally recognized commitment has made it even more clear how important marriage can be for any loving couple. Wiley and Meghan ask their family and friends to join with them in pledging support to HRC to achieve this basic right for all people.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Suzannah and David
October 18, 2009

Suzannah and David met and fell in love in San Francisco. They love to play, read, spend time with friends, and walk around the city. There is a much longer version of this story at www.davidandsuzannah.com. They have lots of gay and lesbian loved ones and just don't understand why in the world their friends shouldn't be allowed to marry. They want you to help them fight this utterly ridiculous inequality.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Rachel and Chris
October 24, 2009

Rachel and Chris met in 2003 as students at the University of Georgia. Both were members of the Phi Kappa Literary Society, a debate organization on campus. Thursday night meetings allowed the two to get to know each other and become friends. On March 1, 2004, after over a year of heated debates in the halls of Phi Kappa, hanging out in downtown Athens, and great times with good friends, the two decided that maybe they should try dating - but nothing serious. Exactly four years later, in a surprise proposal in Providence, RI, Chris asked Rachel something really serious, and she said yes. Despite busy lives, long distances, and a general resistance to 'growing up,' the two now eagerly await their October 2009 wedding.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Chris and Nicole
October 24, 2009

Chris and Nicole met in 2006 via the crazy world of online dating. Nicole was finishing up medical school and Chris was well into his PhD at the time. After some tumultuous on-and-off dating and about seven months after they first met, Nicole graduated; matched in California; and moved across the country to start a residency program. Not long after the move, it became apparent their story was not over... Just as the internet helped Chris and Nicole find each other, Instant Messaging and Skype held them together, despite different time zones and ridiculous schedules. Chris proposed about one year after Nicole moved away. He graduated with his PhD this past spring and moved out to California to start their life together. Chris and Nicole enjoy their crazy life and have fun sharing it with their household zoo of two dogs and two cats.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.

Amanda and Jeannie
October 31, 2009

Amanda and Jeannie met through a friend; Jeannie literally showed up on Amanda's doorsteps. As soon as Amanda saw her, she was in love. They started dating on October 29, 2007. Amanda says about Jeannie, "A year later and she still has that sparkle in her eyes. She is my everything."

Amanda and Jeannie have a two-year-old daughter, Dakota. They would like people to donate to HRC because they think everyone should be treated as an equal and no one should be afraid of being who they are.

To read more or make a donation on their behalf, please click here.