Happy Pride 2024 - It’s a journey, not a destination. part 2

Their wedding photos were one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen – and I had to reconcile that with my beliefs.

In December 2013 a judge made same sex marriage in legal Utah.  They struck down Utah’s amendment that marriage was only between 1 man and 1 woman as unconstitutional. An amendment that I am ashamed to say that I voted for.

The state pushed back and after about 2 weeks it became illegal again. 

During those weeks though, one of my family members rushed to the courthouse with his long-time partner and got married.  I sat with tears streaming down my face as I looked at the photos they posted on Facebook. I felt so strongly that what I was looking at was good, was *right*.  That didn’t sit well with my past feelings and beliefs.

Today’s post isn’t about religion, but I’d want to mention that I’d been taught to listen to the Spirit as it testified  of truth. And this was the same feeling.

Sometimes cognitive dissonance is good. It’s the first step, it allows your brain to expand and explore new ideas. This was that moment for me. 

Now, even though I know intellectually why I believed in discriminatory marriage laws,  I can’t defend any of my reasons, thoughts,  or actions.

Love is love.

Happy Pride.