Last night I had the extreme honor of attending my first gay wedding. It was the wedding of a friend and former coworker of mine when I worked in HIV Prevention at The San Diego LGBT Community Center.

He and his partner were celebrating 15 years of being together, and with the recent legislative changes in California, they could now officially be married. It was a small evening wedding in their home. Both were dressed in white linen. Another friend and former coworker from The Center presided over the ceremony. The event was in Spanish, so as a monolingual English speaker, I had a translation sheet from which to follow along.

And...it was beautiful.

I had chills throughout my body and tears in my eyes for the final words:
"By the power of what you have pledged before us, and by the power invested in me by the State of California, I pronounce you spouses for life."

The personal meaning is touching. The historical significance is profound. As a heterosexual woman, I've never had to question whether I would have the right to marry if I so choose. There's legislation in the works, Proposition 8, to revoke this right for marriage equality. Learn more about this and what you can do through Let California Ring.

Jennifer Gunsaullus, Ph.D.

Relationship & Intimacy Doctor
Healthy Sexuality & Happy Relationships in San Diego
www.drjennsden.com