I grew up in a small town in Northern Alabama. The people there were simple, all the native families were completely traditional and anything opposite of which was quickly dispelled and rebuked. There was a military base in the town that would bring in new folks off and on, and with that new walks of life. Other than that, it was the same people. Few newcomers. However the truth be know, my hometown has a hugely eclectic group of youth, but when they grow old… It’s like the town is cancer. And I was once a part of the “eclectic” group as some may say. We loved music, some skateboarded, some had green hair, some played soccer, some, including myself attended church every time the doors opened. We spent our time at local punk rock shows, in the woods and in our rooms just hanging out. We didn’t have the Internet, the mall or cellphones. My group came from all different walks of life, and we loved and treated all equally. It wasn’t a shock to us when someone would act on how the felt or voiced their emotions.
We just all cared. We cared a lot for each other, and after all, life is about caring, right?
Then one night my best friend was sitting on her skateboard in her basement and she told me something I already knew. But, it wasn’t something that was easy for her to say out loud. I remember the exact day she came out. She is a lesbian. So what? She’s human. She was my best friend. She actually cried. She cried because she knew her mom would have something to say, that my parents would have something to say, that the town would have something to say, and that none of it would be pretty. She was completely accurate. It was awful for a while, but then she decided that moving away and attending a private high school up North would be best. That was awful for me, but I was happy for her because I knew her life would better. And, it was.
You see, Alabama has a history of teaching ignorance, and those who are taught only think they are “doing the right thing.”
On February 9, 2015, same sex marriage licenses were legally issued in Alabama.
No matter how many times I write that sentence, I still can’t believe that it actually happened. Since the day I was told by so many people that being friends with a homosexual was wrong, I have essentially rebelled. And since then, I’ve tried to help by lending my hand, home, voice and heart to those who are mistreated simply due to ignorance and fear. In my mind and heart I know we are all humans. We are all capable of love, we are all here to live and enjoy life. And what right do we have to discredit someone else’s life simply because we can’t understand, or because it’s different than what we were taught?
Alabama is moving forward, and it’s time that its population does the same.
On February eighth, I called up a dear friend of mine and asked him to join me at the probate office to celebrate the day same-sex couples could legally wed. When we arrived, there was a group of people out front, all in support, all there to witness history in the making. Across the street stood one lonely protester, but he wasn’t aggressive, he too was there to voice his opinion. Police lined the streets, roads blocked off, a light rain fell, but never dampened the smiles, spirits and warm hearts of those outside waiting for the couples inside to obtain what should have been available decades ago. And, around 9:15, the first couple who had camped out in front of the office the night before, walked out of the probate office. Hands held high in the air, and smiles which absolutely filled everyone’s heart with gladness. I held my camera steadily over my face, and captured one of the most beautiful days I’ve ever witnessed.
February 9, 2015 wasn’t just the day same sex marriage was recognized, it’s the day Alabama took a gigantic step forward. It was a day that made me cry, it was a day that brought so much happiness to so many, and it was a day that changed Alabama’s future.
Good job Montgomery, and congratulations Alabama
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