Graphic Courtesy of Dustin Dahlman
Georgia’s 2004 constitutional amendment removed any doubt that same-sex marriage was illegal in the state. Couples had to travel to a state where same-sex marriage was legal to complete the official paperwork, and the unions were still not recognized in Georgia or in many other states where laws banned same-sex unions.
On June 26, 2015 history was made when the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) legalized same-sex marriage across the nation.
“Even from the wee morning hours, that day was abuzz with hopeful tweets and Facebook statuses,” said SCAD graduate and former president of Queers & Allies, Alexander Cheves. “Many guys were already planning victory parties and some — including myself — were very nervous the decision would swing against us.”
Pastor Steve Schulte at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Thunderbolt, Georgia has performed commitment ceremonies for years. Schulte never thought he would see the day that same-sex marriages would be legal in all 50 states.
“As states started to allow same-gender weddings, I still doubted if it would become federally acknowledged — I used to joke saying that Georgia would be tied for last,” said Schulte.
With news that Georgia counties were preparing to change their marriage license to gender neutral in the last weeks before the SCOTUS decision, Schulte had hope that gay-marriage would be legalized.
“Societies acceptance of gay and lesbian couples has really changed over the years. And in recent months, it’s become increasingly clear that it is no longer a national taboo.”
The June 26 ruling affirmed Schultes’ beliefs.
“I had scheduled the renewal of wedding vows… I wasn’t expecting to hear the ruling until Monday… minutes after the ceremony, I check my phone and saw that the Supreme Court had made a ruling in favor of same gender marriages. I cried tears of joys,” said Schulte.
It was an emotional moment for many.
“When the news broke it was a crazy atmosphere. I was crying a lot — the Internet essentially painted itself rainbow and the whole day was incredibly happy for me and my boyfriend. Walking around downtown Savannah was surreal,” said Cheves.
Prior to the ruling, gay couples traveled to Savannah for commitment ceremonies. Now that the supreme court has made gay marriage legal, Schulte believes that Savannah will now be a popular wedding destination for gay weddings as well.
“More couples will come to — or stay in — Savannah to get married,” said Schulte.
“Savannah is a very inclusive city. It’s history of welcoming immigrants and allowing them to settle here, work, raise a family, etc. has continued with the LGBT community. Savannah is also a majority minority city which adds to the level of comfort LGBT citizens have,” said Billy Wooten, chair of First City Network, Savannah’s oldest gay rights organization.
For SCAD graduate, Ann Uland and her fiancée — third-year Performing Arts major, Emily Willis — the SCOTUS decision will have a big impact on their future prospects. Together the two have created a series of lesbian action-hero comics that contain strong LGBQIT themes.
“The biggest impact for us … is that all states will now recognize union when we do get hitched and that really simplifies our paperwork, banking, income taxes and all that jazz. Sounds mundane but, it’s really important when you are starting your own business together,” said Uland.
For Cheves, the court ruling assured that all the hard work had not been in vain. “The decision left us all with a giant sigh of relief and a feeling of vindication. All the years of activism had paid off,” said Cheves.
“The SCOTUS decision is a really positive reinforcement of changing attitudes in society,” said Uland.
Despite the decision, Schulte believes that there are still people who are against gay rights and/or marriage equality.
“There will be more wedding vendors who specialize in gay and lesbian ceremonies and there will be some wedding vendors who won’t do gay or lesbian weddings… And — I’ve already experienced this — there will be straight couples who won’t choose a vendor because they do gay and lesbian weddings,” said Reverend Schulte.
Wooten shares this belief, acknowledging that there are still people who against gay marriage.
“There are people who are not supportive of marriage equality and say that this weakens – — or worse yet — dooms the institution of marriage. The arguments they offer are weak and when asked where is their passion when it comes to divorce, child abuse, domestic violence, and adultery — all which adversely effect marriage — they are not prepared to offer solutions,” said Wooten.
But Cheves holds onto hope, believing that the LGBQT movement will continue to progress.
“[The gay rights movement] pushed for the rights of gays and lesbians and demanded their right to marry and to have positive representation in public media; Queer Rights will continue to break down gender assumptions and societal gender roles and fight for transgender rights, which have been sorely overlooked,” said Cheves. “If I can tell you anything about SCAD LGBT, it’s this: they will be the leaders of the Queer Rights movement. The activism torch has been passed.”
Written by Asli Shebe.
Asli Shebe is a senior writing major from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She began working for District in 2014 as a staff writer, then copy editor, A&E editor, Chief Assignment editor and finally, Editor-in-Chief in 2017. Asli currently holds the record for obtaining the most job titles during her time at District. When she’s not writing for District you can find her biking around the Historic District of Savannah at odd hours of the day.
