Still courting in Washington: Elizabeth Reis and Barbara Steele were among 19 same-sex couples arguing for marriage equality in Washington. On July 26 the state supreme court rejected their claim for a marriage license, but the couple of 29 years is vowing to fight on.Were you surprised by the ruling? Steele: I wasn't was·n't Contraction of was not. wasn't was not wasn't be , not particularly. I'd been expecting it. Reis: I was surprised. We had been expecting the decision every day since 2005. When the announcement came, I was really expecting it to be in our favor. I feel like we live in the most progressive part of the country, and today our nation stumbled in the journey for liberty and justice for all. This was the latest in a surprising string of setbacks in the courts. Reis: That's the way it's always been with our struggle. We take two steps forward, one step back. There was this groundswell ground·swell n. 1. A sudden gathering of force, as of public opinion: a groundswell of antiwar sentiment. 2. in Massachusetts Massachusetts (măsəch  `sĭts), most populous of the New England states of the NE United States. , so it felt like the time to do something. And now this
decision is certainly going to anger the community, and it will one day
result in a more progressive legislature.
When did you decide to pursue marriage rights? Reis: It came at a time that felt right for us. When we first got together, we couldn't figure out how to refer to each other, let alone conceive of Verb 1. conceive of - form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case; "Can you conceive of him as the president?" envisage, ideate, imagine marriage. There were no words for our relationship. We couldn't even imagine being married. We had to get over our own internalized homophobia homophobia Psychology An irrationally negative attitude toward those with homosexual orientation, or toward becoming homosexual. See Closet, Gay-bashing, Heterosexism. Cf Gay, Homosexual, Phobia. before we could begin thinking about getting married. Steele: And now we're so out that people in other cities are talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to us about it! Will you still hold a marriage ceremony even if it isn't legally recognized? Reis: We've had several ceremonies over the years. We had a very private ceremony in Ohio on August 15, 1977, the day we celebrate as our anniversary. When Seattle recognized domestic partnerships, we registered as domestic partners. When the city lost our paperwork, we filled it out again, so we consider that our third ceremony. And we did a huge religious ceremony on our 20th anniversary. That was the most wonderful day in my life. This time we were just going to get a judge to marry us it was just going to be the legal part. What's next for you? Reis: This particular battle is over, but it doesn't mean we're over. We're going to work with residents and legislators, volunteering our time to elect people who can eventually help us become equal citizens. The state will see what it takes to win, and I think we Hill be able to legally marry here within our lifetime. What about moving to Massachusetts? Reis: We would never do that. We have two children, 14 grandchildren GRANDCHILDREN, domestic relations. The children of one's children. Sometimes these may claim bequests given in a will to children, though in general they can make no such claim. 6 Co. 16. , and two great-grandchildren, and our lives are here. But we're only a couple of hours from the Canadian Canadian (kənā`dēən), river, 906 mi (1,458 km) long, rising in NE New Mexico. and flowing E across N Texas and central Oklahoma into the Arkansas River in E Oklahoma. border. Who knows, maybe when we retire, well move to Vancouver and get married there. |
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