We Do' is an inspiring record of joy

"We Do: A Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Marriage" is a collection by Chronicle Books of photographs of same-sex couples tying the knot during the blitz of weddings that occurred across the country, the apex of which was San Francisco, where thousands of couples were wed upon the directive of Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom writes in the forward, "I acted in order to honor my upbringing and my own marriage, support the commitment of real couples to form lifelong bonds, and defend the oath I took as mayor to protect liberty and justice for all, not just those of a certain class. I refused to deny to any person the right to make this deeply personal commitment to another human being, and to publicly celebrate that commitment to fidelity, intimacy, companionship, and family."
"We Do" is not only a historical document, it's a testament to love and the power of commitment. It doesn't seem possible, quite frankly, to pack this much joy into 143 pages, but editor Amy Rennert manages to do it.
Turning the pages of "We Do" is overwhelming. At least it was for me. LGBT activists are always saying how important it is to put a face on our issues. It is difficult to oppose LGBT rights, and indeed, marriage equality, when you have to oppose real people face to face. Looking at this book, it is astounding to me that anyone could look at the two men holding their twin baby girls and say to them, "Your family doesn't deserve the protections of marriage." Are you going to tell the two women dancing to a mariachi band outside of city hall after their wedding ceremony that their love isn't real? That their love doesn't count?
Excuse me if I get a little choked up.
Now, it's true that it doesn't take much to get me a little teary-eyed – I've cried at fabric softener commercials (don't tell anyone). When my partner and I had our wedding – not legally recognized, but a wedding nonetheless – I cried throughout the entire ceremony. Like a baby.
It wasn't because I'm mentally unstable (the jury is still out on that one), it was because I was making the most important and personal vows of my life, declaring my love and commitment in front of my friends and family to the most amazing and beautiful person I have ever met.
Seeing these photographs of couple after couple in love during one of the most emotionally intimate moments of their lives being received by a cheering throng of well wishers and fellow newly-weds, I felt like I was getting married all over again. I felt their joys, I shared in their lives, and I celebrated their love.
You can, too, for just $19.95, which is a steal compared to the cost of the average wedding gift today.
My only complaint is one of terminology. I dislike the term "same-sex marriage" and especially frown upon "same-sex marriage license," which the book uses throughout. A marriage license doesn't have a sex. It is not a gendered entity. Neither is marriage.
But the gains we've seen for same-sex couples has come quickly and "We Do" merely uses the language that's available at present. We all await the day when not only language, but attitudes toward loving and committed couples change and all couples are afforded equal marriage rights.
In the meantime, grab a copy of this book. Rejoice and find strength in it today, and look forward to the day when it becomes a record of how it used to be, when gays and lesbians couldn't get married, yet thousands jumped at the chance to say "I do."