By Tiffani Tang
Correspondent
Decked out with navy stars and white lights, the drawing room in Allen Hall received a makeover for PRISM’s 11th annual Queer Wedding. This year’s Wedding’s theme was “A Celestial Celebration.”
Six couples were “married” by Ms. Rosetta Stone, a regular PRISM event attendee.
“(We’re here) to witness the marriage of those who have helplessly and completely fallen in love,” Stone said. “Marriage is a promise. Not just for today, but forever.”
The audience laughed and cried along with the “spouses” as heartwarming stories about when the couples first met were shared.
“(Love) allows us to face uncertainty without fear,” Stone said.
Among the couples were lovers, best friends and supporters, who watched as they exchanged vows and gifts, such as rings, stuffed Pokémon and Ring-Pops.
“You may now kiss your man candy!” Stone said, making everyone chuckle.
Some couples surprised their partners with an extra step.
There was a Celtic knot ceremony, original poems and an acapella rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”
The 2014 Queer Wedding is especially important because New Jersey recently became the 14th state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage.
“What a difference a year can make,” Reverend Lisa King said.
A marble heart was passed around the room and everyone was invited to voice what they thought about this major step toward marriage equality.
“Progress,” said PRISM’s campus advocacy chair, Ryan Eldridge, a freshman political science and Spanish double major.
Progress is happening as other states, such as Colorado and Nevada, follow suit and work toward marriage equality for all.
“It means that one day, I can watch my best friends get married,” freshman biology and secondary education dual major Ryan Goolic said.
Many other attendees agreed.
“I’ve been seeing this (event) advertised around campus since freshman year, but I’ve never been able to make it,” senior sociology major Biju Egwuonwu said. “I’m really excited, especially because I’m graduating.”
There were a multitude of “I wills,” “I dos” and “We dos” exchanged between people who care very much about each other. Participants and spectators were joined together to witness these special bonds and were later invited to a reception in the Brower Student Center to celebrate with cake, music and lots of fun.
No one saw gender, sex or societal “norms.” There was only love in the air.
PRISM president Megan Osika, a junior English, secondary education and women’s and gender studies triple major, closed the night with some important words.
“Tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow we continue to fight for justice,” she said.
