Note—Not only is it
LGBTQ Pride Month which is observed here in McHenry County by Woodstock Pride
Fest, but it also marks an Illinois milestone victory for Marriage Equality and
a joyful, pioneering wedding ceremony at Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist
Congregation in McHenry. We dip into the
blog archives for this report posted the day after the big event.
Triumphant. It can be a word
with unpleasant overtones. Kind
of an I-win-you-lose-stick-it-where-the-sun-don’t-shine gloat. But I don’t mean it that way. I don’t want to stick my thumb in any eye or rub
salt into the wounds of those who stood in the way. I only want to shout joy to the rooftops.
The eight women who stood up at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist
Congregation in McHenry yesterday
had triumphed. As the Rev. Sean Parker Dennison pointed out,
their collective 81 years of love and commitment to each other
could finally be validated by the State
of Illinois. And that love and
commitment could be shared at the joint wedding ceremony hosted by the congregation Sunday morning.
All of the friends and family of each couple
had triumphed, too. The ones that had
not only accepted but had treasured.
The Congregation, which had declared it support of Marriage Equality a decade ago, which
had long embraced some of the couples and other members of the LGBTQ community when finding a safe
church home in McHenry County was
challenging, which had publicly Stood on
the Side of Love in the campaign to make Marriage Equality come to Illinois triumphed. Helping to bring this event to reality was
our finest hour.
The whole wider community—even those who professed horror
at the possibility whether they know it now or not—has triumphed. The scattered parts have been gathered
into the whole, the circle of love extended, the value of family,
real family, has been affirmed.
And judging from the rare and stunningly perfect day
in June, the Lord God Jehovah himself or however you choose to name and characterize
The Greater—was mightily pleased.
I would like to let the four remarkable couples speak for
themselves. From the introductions they
wrote which were included in the Order
of Service.
Jodi Kuperman and Megan Meyer met 10 years ago through a
friend. They moved together months later as friends so Jodi could help Megan
with her kids. It took them few years to become a couple but in that time they
had many ups and downs. They have 3 wonderful children; Amanda 22 who is
married to Tim who is proudly serving our county in the army; Matthew who is 11
and our boy boy; and Hailey who is 9 and a mini Megan. Amanda blessed us with a beautiful
granddaughter Elsie Anne who grandma and bubby love to death! They feel they
are the ying to the other’s yang!
Theresa Castino lives in Round Lake with her
partner of 22 years, Mary Kuhn, and their 3 furry kids (Samson the cat, Cassidy
the floppy mutt, and Frankie the wonder pug). Theresa works as a web content
manager. Her interests include photography, writing, football, and music. Mary’s
hobbies include traveling, reading, and gardening. She currently works for
Automated Health Systems as a customer service rep enrolling people in state
health plans.
Gale Harris and Deb Glaubke were introduced by friends at a
party in April 1988. By the end of May
they had moved in together and have been a couple for 26 years. Their first commitment ceremony was in 1989,
after a year of “making sure” they were compatible, by hanging wallpaper
together and building aviaries in the living room. The latter idea turned out to be not so
excellent, as the 28 finches, four cockatiels, 2 love birds, and one red lori
joined in conversation any time the television or record player came on. Both
Gale and Deb have worked in human services for most of their careers. Deb
worked as an on-call crisis counselor for 16 years, and Gale is a cognitive
psychotherapist with decades of experience. In 2012 they were the 40th same sex
couple to join in a civil union, and were the first couple at the Woodstock
Government Building in Woodstock to apply for a marriage license on June
1. They have lived in Woodstock for 15
years, and are co-founders of Gallery in the Garden, an annual art show which
raises money for local charities. Currently their household consists of
themselves, five dogs and four cats—none of which is invited to the wedding.
Mary Fleming and Barb
Oesterle have been attending this church since 1989. They have been an awesome
duo who taught OWL and youth group for many years. They support one another and
play on each other's strengths. Most of
all, they love to laugh and have fun. Mary Ellen and Barb have been together
for 25 years. Mary recently made the comment that many other couples are
getting divorced at their age and they are getting married! Barb will be changing her last name to
Fleming.
Finally, I would like to express my pride in the community of our congregation
which came together to put on a fabulous wedding and reception. The volunteer efforts were Herculean
and
undertaken with a cheerfulness and joy that was inspirational.
Couples & officiants--Theresa Castino, Sam Jones, Mary Kuhn, Sandra Lott, Deb Glaubke, Gale Harris, Rev. Sean Parker Dennison, Jodi Kuperman, Lori Kane, Megan Meyer with granddaughter Elsie Anne, Mary Flemming, Robert Jackson, Barb Flemming.
To quote Rev. Sean, “Shalom, Ashev, Blessed Be. Gentle people, go in peace.”
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