Pioneers

Homestead Husbands

On November 6th, Washington became one of the first three states (along with Maine and Maryland) to pass Marriage Equality by popular vote.  Having recently become engaged to my partner of 4 1/2 years, this was a very momentous occasion for us, as well as our friends and family. 

I was asked to participate in an art show specifically reacting to the election results, hosted by Gay City Health Project. My thoughts kept coming back to the Western Pioneers who settled the state of Washington, who carved out new lives for themselves against monumental hardships of all kinds. I thought about all our brave LGBT forbears who weren't able to experience their relationships in the open, who struggled in silence against the very real danger of exposure and persecution.  

At a time when my fiance and I – along with so many of our friends – are celebrating our newly-established legal status, I wanted to acknowledge the pioneers who came before us in Washington state, as well as those around the world who continue to fight tirelessly for legal equality.

Pioneer Wives