My own parents tried to weasel out of coming to my wedding, too. :) Since it was not a legal, or religious occasion- to them it didn't count, so they were even able to rationalize it to themselves. They even offered to throw me some sort of get together in lieu of coming to the actual wedding. When I explained how important it was for me to have them be there, they finally agree to go. However, it took me sitting them down and explaining it, for them to realize: hey, she's getting married, we are her parents, we should be there. Weird, hurtful, moment in my life. They do get all my respect for actually showing up though, and 'doing' parents of a bride. I know that that was not what they wanted for their only child, and it was hard for them to give up the dream of me for the reality of me.

And congrats to the newlyweds!

@ hyblaean

I love this line: "it was hard for them to give up the dream of me for the reality of me."

I'm going to confess something: until a few years ago, I was opposed to same-sex marriage. I never thought it should be banned by law, but I said many of the same things same-sex marriage opponents say: "Why do they have to call it marriage? Why can't they just have the same rights and call it something else?"

Then I started listening to both sides, and I noticed something. On one side were people who loved each other and wanted everyone to be treated with kindness. On the other side were a bunch of mean people. I decided I didn't want to be on the same side as the mean people, and if that meant I needed to broaden my definition of marriage, then that's what I needed to do.

Jesus said you would be able to know his disciples by the love they have for one another. I want to be one of those.

By the way - aren't they cute together! My husband is red-headed too, I have a soft spot for redheads.

Thanks your telling your story, Allie.

As the article said, Prop 8 is in a dead heat at the moment. We must defeat it so that Jay and Brian's marriage can stay in tact. If you live out of state, please consider donating today. California voters - vote No on Prop 8 this Tuesday, and if you have any money you can donate to put more ads in the media or if you want to volunteer at a phone bank this weekend, visit NoOnProp8.com. This is the final push... don't let Out of State Churches enshrine discrimination in the CA constitution.

I grew up Mormon in a suburb of Salt Lake City, the youngest of 3 sons. I watched my oldest brother struggle unhappily with his homosexuality (though I didn't realize that was the issue then) for most of his life. I have now left the church (and Utah), but my oldest brother remains there with my still-Mormon family. He's 'out', and my family has not rejected him, but there is still a tension and sadness remaining.

The Mormon church is filled with decent, loving people who often get a bad rap from outsiders (admittedly, much of the criticism is deserved). But I believe that the central tenet of the faith (strong, loving families) will eventually lead members to embrace their gay sons and daughters as George Redd has done. This letter made me weep, thinking about my brother and hoping that one day he can experience the same joy as Jay Redd.

I'm originally from Utah, too, and a lapsed Mormon. It's painful to see the Church leaders mobilize members and their money on Prop 8. As narrow as Mormon culture can be, the church I grew up in didn't actively stir up anti-gay hate like other conservative Christian cultures. But this organized campaign will encourage and justify homophobic sentiments, and will make it all the harder for Mormon families––and the church as a whole––to grapple honestly with their gay daughters and son (and dads and moms).

Redd's story gives me some hope, though. And it also underscores the importance of gay Mormons coming out. I really have to wonder: the current church leadership are almost all men in their 70s and 80s ( those in in their 60s are the youngsters); and if their gay family members had been freer to stand up and insist on their dignity in public a generation ago, it would be a lot harder for the leaders to see the world as they do.

My hope is that families like the Redds are harbingers of a better Mormon future, in which the leadership draws back from anti-gay efforts because they know gays and lesbians are the daughters and nephews and uncles in their own families.

In the article it says "Jay remembers that there were four temples within about a mile of his house." That would be chapels or meetinghouses, not temples. When he was growing there were only four temples on the whole Wasatch Front.

A beautiful story.

It illustrates everything that's wrong with the homophobic opposition to same-sex marriage. Marriage is about a commitment between two people, the rest of society be dammed!

No one's marriage threatens my own, and it takes a pretty twisted view of the world to believe it does.

I don't live in California, but I'm watching this with great anticipation. If the voters reject prop 8 it just might be a major turning point in the fight for equal treatment of homosexuals.

If, on the other hand, they accept prop 8 and tear apart these families in the name of religious bigotry, there will be hell to pay.

This little stunt isn't going to get you any "street cred" with the legitimate branches of christianity. They will never accept you no matter how many gays you bash. Pretend that your "one of them" all you want, it aint gonna happen. In the end all you'll have is a smaller pocketbook and a bunch of gay folks in California (and their allies around the country) resenting you. Maybe if you had learned from your own persecution, you wouldn't have this problem. The evangelicals will never invite you over to play.