A queer-owned bookstore, All She Wrote Books in Somerville, Massachusetts, plans to hold an LGBTQ+ “wedding marathon” amid fears that equal marriage could be overturned in America, as the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) considers hearing a same-sex marriage case. The owners of the bookstore want to ensure that as many LGBTQ+ couples who wish to marry can do so before lawmakers have the chance to reverse Obergefell v. Hodges; the 2015 landmark ruling which legalised same-sex marriage across the United States.
A petition was filed last month against the ruling, and as a result there have been many urging LGBTQ+ couples to wed as soon as they can if they wish to, including suggestions from former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The US Supreme Court was last week formally asked to hear an appeal, presented by former county clerk Kim Davis, which would ask SCOTUS to overturn same-sex marriage rights in the country. Kim Davis spent six days behind in prison when she refused to grant a gay couple a marriage license in 2015.
At the start of this year, All She Wrote Books had already launched itself as a queer wedding venue (what bookworm wouldn’t want to wed among the shelves of their favourite store?), and now, they plan to host a special one-day only wedding marathon for LGBTQ+ couples. This rebellion against the hate directed at the community will take place at the end of the month (30th August) and is aptly named ‘Love Can’t Wait Another Day’.
The queer marriage marathon will offer couples the chance to become legally wed “without the cost or delay of a traditional wedding”.
“We can’t believe it’s come to this, but the clock could be ticking on LGBTQIA+ marriage rights,” the bookshop wrote on social media.
“We’re not interested in waiting to see what happens and neither is our community. That’s why we’re creating space for folks to say ‘I do’ ASAP.
“What matters is making it official while we still can.”
Wedding licenses are required ahead of the event and spots are limited so couples should book to secure their marriage spot. For just $500, couples will receive: a private, 1-hour ceremony with Justice of the Peace with up to 12 guests (or just the two of them), professional photographs, cupcakes, optional bubbly toast, a special wedding gift from the bookstore, and information on the 9 legal documents that help replicate marriage rights if they are overturned.
Owner Christina Pascucci-Ciampa told PinkNews: “We felt we needed to do something, and let our community know that they have options. “Because there is much at stake right now in this country, we as a community need to be as proactive as we can be, given the onslaught of rights being taken away.”
More information about what couples need to do to secure their place in the event and what documentation they need ahead of it can be found on the bookstore’s website:
https://www.allshewrotebooks.com/book-the-bookstore
