Guiding Light
Signs & Spouses: A Sparkling Celebration of Marriage Equality
Saturday, May 31, 6–10 p.m.
American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave.
Emceed by Evan Millward. Event includes,
Appetizers and dessert
Champagne toast
Dancing
Cash bar
Vow renewal ceremony
Music by MUSE and DJ Boywife
Valet Parking
Get tickets or register to renew vows at www.americansignmuseum.org/event/signs-spouses.
A portions of net proceeds from Signs & Spouses will be given to the Ohio Lesbian Archives with gratitude for its efforts to preserve queer history.
Jim Obergefell and his partner John Arthur were at the center of the marriage equality debate in 2013, with a case that went to the Supreme Court in 2015.
This June marks a decade of marriage equality as the law of the land. To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the monumental Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the American Sign Museum is celebrating with “Signs & Spouses: A Sparkling Celebration of Marriage Equality.”
As part of the event, couples will be able to renew their wedding vows during a ceremony officiated by Obergefell.
“Cincinnati is near and dear to me, a place that still feels like home. It’s a joy to be here for this event, to remember John and my memories of us in Cincinnati” says Obergefell. “Our relationship is the central story of marriage equality in our nation, and it is a story of Cincinnati.”
Obergefell was the plaintiff in the landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges in which the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to grant same-sex marriages and recognize same-sex marriages from other states.
“I hope (the couples) remember that our right to marry required the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of countless people, and although the Supreme Court affirmed that right in their Obergefell v Hodges decision, that right is under attack,” says Obergefell. “Although they are renewing their vows and might not be thinking about the right to marry, the Supreme Court could very well overturn Obergefell. If that happens, Ohio could once again be a state where queer couples are unable to get a marriage license or say ‘I do’ in the state they call home. That isn’t marriage equality. I hope these couples recognize how fortunate they are, and if necessary, take part in any effort needed to guarantee Ohioans the right to marry in the future.”
Along with the vow renewal ceremony with Obergefell, the event includes Evan Millward as emcee and toasts by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney and others. Guest will also enjoy food, a champagne toast, and performances by MUSE Choir, Aurora Starr, Manukah Honey, Siri Imani, Dancefix, and DJ Boywife.
“I’ve had the honor of officiating almost 30 weddings since the decision, and bringing two people together in marriage brings me incredible joy,” says Obergefell. “The LGBTQ+ community was denied marriage, and Ohio’s recognition of out-of-state marriages, for so long that we must take every opportunity to celebrate that right. That’s what this is – a celebration of our right to marry. My late husband, John, and I were able to enjoy only three months as husband and husband, so being able to celebrate with married couples, to be part of their vow renewal, is incredibly special and meaningful to me.”
Those renewing their vows will receive a digital portrait by photographer Natalie Grilli, a digital video of the event by Brandi Mays, and a certificate commemorating the date.
“I imagine they’ll look at their spouse (during the renewal ceremony) and think something like this – ‘I’m so lucky to have you in my life. You have made me a better person, and I’m excited to see what the rest of our life together holds. I love you more today than I did the day we got married.’”
The event coincides with the ASM’s first onsite special exhibition exhibition, “Glow & Behold: Cincinnati’s Historic LGBTQ+ Bar Signs.”
“I’ve loved the American Sign Museum since it was in Walnut Hills, and I’m excited to be part of an event celebrating their exhibit of signs from Cincinnati’s queer history,” says Obergefell. “These signs are an important reminder of the safe spaces Cincinnati’s queer community depended on, spaces where they could find chosen family, acceptance, and love. My husband John and I met in, fell in love in, and lived our entire relationship of almost 21 years in Cincinnati, and we spent time in some of those safe spaces.”