More and more, I find myself reaching for cardigans and boleros, sweaters and swing coats, as autumn starts to slowly give up her fight. I can’t deny it any longer: Winter has arrived in Australia. Now, to be fair, winter in Perth is not like winter in Boston (where I grew up) – no snow to contend with or icy wings whipping across the streets. Mostly there is rain. And gloom. So, I really can’t be blamed for wanting to inject a bit of color into the grey streets…
The embroidered bodice on this vintage dress is what drew her to me in the first place (quickly followed by the full, billowing skirt and the adorable shoulder ties). It just looked like a garden of hearts, all nestled together, like a pile of meerkats waiting out a storm. Love has been blooming all around this week, as a matter of fact, and I thought a love themed outfit was rather fitting. In a historic triumph, the United States Supreme Court made it’s landmark ruling to allow same-sex couples to marry in all 50 States and ruled that state bans on gay marriage were unconstitutional.
It matters not who you love,
where you love, why you love,
when you love, or how you love.
It matters only that you love.
~John Lennon~
If you follow my Instagram or my Facebook, you know I spent the day in joyous celebration, resplendent in the most appropriate “Love Wins” inspired look I could find. And I was overjoyed to find my feed mostly full of similar messages of joy and love, with support coming from all over the world.
Now, I’m not naive and realize this issue is controversial for a number of people, particularly those who feel the ruling is in conflict with their religious beliefs. However, regardless of what your personal beliefs are, this issue has never – and should never – be one of ‘morality’. It’s one of equal rights. If anyone is struggling with the legalities of the ruling, I highly encourage them to check out this post, which is one of the most eloquent statements I’ve read on exactly why constitutional rights aren’t (and shouldn’t be) up for the popular voice or religious institutions to determine.
This ruling made me incredibly emotional – not because it affected me in a direct way, but because it reminded me that I’ve spent my life incredibly privileged – many of us have. I’m privileged to have never had someone question my relationship or the person I love. To have never had to face discrimination because of my sexual preference. I’ve never had to validate my commitment to my husband, born from the simple fact that I happen to be a woman who happens to choose a man to spent her life with. And even though I have lived in this cocoon of societal acceptance, I’m very aware that not everyone has been afforded this privilege.
Despite the celebration occurring all around the interwebs, I was shocked and saddened to find a hateful comment on the celebratory photo that I posted, particularly jarring amidst the sea of love and support for such an incredibly monumental piece of history. Now, I realize posting things on social media leaves you open to all manner of criticism or opinion (welcome or otherwise) and that the veil of the internet allows people to say things they might not otherwise say. But it shook me up. Not because of the words, or because they were actually a friend of the family I had known since childhood, but because it made me realize that however long it took to get here, we still have a long to go.
And though everyone is entitled to their opinion (though perhaps not entitled to write ignorant, hateful words on my wall), I am beyond happy that it was one dark mark amongst a garden of hearts. A negative water droplet amongst a tidal wave of love. Everyone is welcome to their views and welcome to “choose a side”, but I personally choose to be on the side of love. And equality. I’m very happy to say that the negative opinion, born of fear and ignorance, is finally, finally the minority.
And, though it seems to be a rarity these days, love won this week. Love prevailed in a way that I’m not sure I expected to witness in my lifetime. It’s kind of fitting that tomorrow is the 4th of July, because so many people who have felt invalidated for so long experienced the independence to love and be loved and not face recrimination. And although we do have a long way to go, I want to stop for a minute and shake her hand, buy her a beer, and give her a place to rest for the night. Because Love just fought a hard, uphill battle. And I have no doubt she’ll be back in the fray to relentlessly fight for our hearts again tomorrow.
May we never, ever, give up the fight.
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: When Decades Collide (similar modern or vintage here, here, here & here)
Belt: Alannah Hill (similar here & here)
Bolero: Wheels & Dollbaby (different color way here or similar here & here)
Basket Bag: Vintage (similar here, here & here)
Shoes: Shelly’s London via Amazon (similar here, here & here)
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