The Brides of March: Memoir of a Same-Sex Marriage

Beren deMotier
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595439874
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (1/08)

 

Other than being present at two close friend’s commitment ceremony in Massachusetts, I have had little contact with the same-sex marriage issues until reading this book.  I found it to be a wonderful commentary on same-sex marriage that should be read by everyone, especially people in the heterosexual community like me who should be more aware of what the bans on same-sex marriage have cost so many people.  The author, Beren deMotier, tells the story about the joy that she and her partner of twenty years felt when the barriers to same-sex marriage in Oregon are suddenly lifted.  
 
Based in Portland, Oregon, the author and her partner Jannine have worked to build a wonderful life for themselves.  deMotier, a stay-at-home mom of three, is a freelance writer who tells us her story in an often hilarious way in “The Brides of March: A Memoir of Same-Sex Marriage.”

On March 2, 2004, people were thrilled to hear that they would be able to get marriage licenses for same-sex weddings the next day.  The author’s partner spent the night outdoors with friends to be the first to get marriage licenses the next day. These couples were thrilled that their unions would finally be recognized by the state and they were to become known among their community as the ‘Brides of March.’  Their story is often very funny as they rush to put together their weddings at the last minute. Many people in the community came out to support them and there were also many who were loudly opposed to same-sex marriages. 

It was heartbreaking for the ‘Brides of March’ and their children when Oregon did not uphold the marriages and the marriages were annulled.  The author and her partner even considered moving to Canada where their marriage would be recognized.  It seems cruel to be granted something that you have waited almost two decades on and then later have it reneged on.  

It is so hard to believe that in 2007 in the United States that we are still talking about oppression and encouraging prejudiced behavior against a group of Americans through laws banning same-sex marriage.  Hopefully, as more people become aware of the issues and stories like this one in “The Brides of March:  Memoir of a Same-Sex Marriage” that this outdated view will change to accept all people who want to pledge their lives to each other.

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