North Carolina will regret their, now cemented, place in history. With their disingenuous mantra, “We’re not anti-gay. We’re pro-marriage”, they prove their bigotry beyond a shadow of a doubt. Attempting to hide behind that spineless, false slogan is laughable! It is so laughable in its dishonesty, that it warrants tears of sadness.  You’ve outlawed my love?  I, my friends, neighbors and family members are not outlaws.

What this state now has done is cut off it’s own nose to spite it’s face. There was already a law on the books banning marriage equality. This vote reinforced the law, and cast it in bronze, so that it could never evolve to change with the reality of today’s society. Not only have they written, and bolstered, blatant discrimination into law, they have flung the pendulum of destruction and harm to those who had, for a time, been protected under the law. Those persons once covered by domestic partner benefits on the municipal level, now are in line to lose those benefits. You have thrown out the baby with the bathwater.

Those benefits aided children and families— whether or not you approved of their composition. The kids of the “illegal”, same-gender loving families in their state will suffer. So enormous was the hatred of “the gays” by the State (and its voters), they even wrote into the amendment the fact that no other relationship than one between a male and a female, would be recognized or matter. Ever.

Further, those in any other form of relationship than the one now, officially, sanctioned by the State of North Carolina, and it’s majority voters, do not exist in their eyes. Much like the careless, disinterested tuna fishermen, you’ve also caught tortoises, manatees and dolphins in your nets. You have done so with impunity.

How well will you sleep tonight? I withdraw the question. The guileless are not insomniacs on any level. This is a clearly punitive and vengeful action.

This means that any domestic partnership or any relationship or domicile-state not falling under the name “marriage” per their definition, is valueless and without meaning, or protections, no matter what. So, now, will the elderly and disabled, in “unsanctioned” unions or relationships suffer as well.

Who, in this day and age, could possibly stand up, boldly, and say “you don’t matter”— and get away with it? North Carolinians who voted for this amendment look like the poor relations that were once secreted away in basements, attics and asylums once upon a time. You are shameful and shameless. If I had an appetite for Lemming stew, I’d surely never starve with you all in my pot.

The last time this obvious hatred was endorsed by a State was when, in this very state, calling a black person “nigger” was as condoned, and natural, as asking the time of day— and with complete impunity.  You are hurtling the world backward a hundred years with this action… and for what? The sanctity of marriage? Really? Really.

I have two words:  John. Edwards. You people are so jaded and blinded that you actually chose to vote this issue in the throes of a federal trial of John Edwards, his infidelity, adultery, theft and dishonesty. What is wrong with you people? He is, certainly, the poster child for Marriage Sanctity!

Clearly you are so focused on harming those who, in no way harm you, that you failed to recognize that you had no right to attempt to remove a speck of sawdust from your ‘brother’s” eye, while you battled a gigantic plank in your own. Shame on you. Your logic is non-existent, bogus and doleful on its face. You did it just to do it. 

Are you happy now? Are you pleased that you finally stuck it to those dykes and faggots? Did you protect the sanctity of your marriages? Or did you just start doing a victory dance because you bullied, with the government’s full sanction, a segment of society that has zero impact on the sanctity of anything related to you? Did it make you feel bona fide? Sanctified? Favored by God? Do you truly feel righteous and happy now? What, then, have you really achieved. Something of which to be proud?

The “majority” are free to marry, divorce, marry again, divorce, marry anew, cheat on their spouse, spit and repeat. Yet you are so concerned about what Jane and Julie or Bob and Bill are doing down the road, that you would choose… choose, to write hatred into the law behind the weak mantle of biblical dogma? Shame on you. Separation of church and state… look it up, for a start.

As the wheel of life spins back around to you… when you have to answer for your sins at the gates, will you be able to bear the shame of your actions today? How will you handle your offspring and future generations as they look back on grandmother and grandfather, mom, dad or Uncle Chuck… and roll their eyes in disgust at the unjustifiable actions you’ve just taken?

If you hate gay marriage… don’t marry a dude!

For the sane, loving, open-hearted, unbigoted residents of that beautiful state, I thank you for your diligence and heartfulness. Your generosity was drowned by the ugliness of the majority voters. An ugliness which, in the twenty-first century, is entirely beyond the pale.

There is no gray area in equality! Time will bear this out.

“Forgive them,Father, for they know not what they do.”

Editor’s Note:

The opinion expressed above is entirely that of Marcinho Savant and does not, necessarily, reflect the view(s) held by savvyplanners.com™, LLC, its principals, affiliates or subsidiaries.

About Marcinho Savant:

GLBTQIA-wedding, event, sales professional, lifestyle guru and author, Marcinho Savant, has been a lifelong “Equalist” and protector of LGBTQ couples in terms of the dignity and honorable respect and care with which  their weddings and events are treated.  As a representative of the firm, he and the company have been mentioned, featured or quoted in outlets such as: “The Washington Times, The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, The UPI, The AP, The Miami Herald, Edge Magazines (MA, NY, NE, Provincetown), “Next” Magazine, “Obama and the Gays” (Baim), “NJ Bride” (New Jersey’s Bridal Best), NY Resident Magazine, ”The New Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings” (as a national LGBT Weddings resource)(Ayers/Brown), and several others as well as interviews on radio.

The General Manager and Senior Event Designer for savvyplanners.com, arguably America’s first gay and lesbian-specific, full-service wedding and event firm in history.  He is the host of  ”SavvyLiving!™ with Marcinho Savant” on Blogtalk Radio.  Among his diverse skill set,

Savant is also a playwright, author and novelist known for his writing on themes of equality and social matters.  He is also an indefatigable voice for the maltreated.

“We are proud that, once again, Iowa values—like the golden rule and treating people the way you want to be treated—have triumphed.”

Evidently, the editors at Maharani Weddings saw the deep significance and beauty of such a simple, wish-granting event for our clients. Clearly, it’s not all about money. Sometimes, it is only the client’s fantasy that matters most.

BREAKING: One door closes…?

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5208/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5515&tag=md4m_facebook

AS EXPECTED,  Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) has VETOED the marriage equality bill in New Jersey.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501365_162-57380574/n.j-gov-christie-vetoes-gay-marriage-bill/?tag=contentMain;contentBody

(Reuters) – The New Jersey Assembly passed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage on Thursday, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Chris Christie, a possible vice-presidential candidate who has promised a veto.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/16/us-usa-gaymarriage-idUSTRE81F01520120216

If you have been to busy to get it all together in time, just give our office a call! We may be able to help you save the day and look like a rock star. There’s no shame in needing a hand. They only shame may have been not calling us sooner! Pick up the phone: 877.529.0587. You might want to call us now!

The New Jersey State Senate has passed marriage equality legislation by a vote of 24-16.

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/breaking-marriage-equality-bill-passes-new-jersey-senate

Some people will celebrate this weekend.  Purists will mark the occasion on Tuesday.

Here are some tools to help take you out of your romantic rut!  Enjoy!

It gives me great pleasure to learn that a client had a, mostly, positive encounter with one of the chain’s New Jersey stores. I got an email from them yesterday showing me the gowns the brides selected. When I saw the source of the garments, I took a deep breath, and, rather than giving in to my prejudices, or concerns, I asked the client what their experience was really like. Here’s how it went down: