A couple recreated a heartwarming photo from 24 years ago, and unknowingly inspired thousands of LGBTQ members and their supporters on social media.
One post that shared their photos is now at over 600,000 favorites and 160,000 shares on Twitter:
”it’s just a phase” pic.twitter.com/WlkgiHDnh9
— mh (@tagyourheathen) June 18, 2017
Both photos of the spouses, Kurt English and Nick Cardello, were taken at an Equality March in Washington, D.C.
Cardello told Buzzfeed that they attended the March this year to celebrate their 25th anniversary together. In the lead-up to that day, he shared the 1993 photo on social media. A friend encouraged them to recreate the photo, and soon the post became viral, reported Mashable.
While they are able to reap the benefits of marriage equality such as joint filing of taxes and availing of health insurance extended to spouses, their photo is now serving as inspiration to other LGBTQ couples:
This is so necessary. For young gays to see old gays happy, in love, and proud. Thank you for giving me a bit of hope for the future
— Quinn (@intelfrog) June 19, 2017
It also sparked discussion among those for and against LGBTQ rights. One netizen admitted he used to be homophobic until he learned more about homosexuality:
I used to be intensely homophobic, then I grew up and realized love is love. I’m not homosexual, but I will stand up for anyone who is.
— Mike Something (@SlaveToBoredom) June 19, 2017
My attitude changed over time. I wish I could say it was sudden. The first big step was understanding that orientation is not a choice.
— Mike Something (@SlaveToBoredom) June 19, 2017
Others were moved at the long-fought battle for marriage equality in the United States to recognize couples like them:
They’ve been marching for so long they actually witnessed gay marriage being legalized in all states pic.twitter.com/nOwlSGg1OH
— ً (@Durrrah) June 19, 2017
They lasted longer than most straight people’s marriages.
— Sean Hastings (@4_hastings) June 19, 2017
After posting the photo, he also realized the importance of representation, especially when it comes to showing what a long-lasting relationship looks like.
He and English are certainly not alone in a successful same-sex marriage, but photos like these are still not as mainstream as that of heterosexual couples.
“We need to get more images like this out there so the youth today can have positive role models,” he related to Mashable. The report also noted their marriage in Boston in 2008, as well as a second marriage they had in their home state of Florida in 2015, after same-sex marriage was legalized there.
The love and acceptance that came with the photo was also another coming-out process for them. Sharing a photo of them kissing was a big step, Cardello admitted.
He said to Buzzfeed News, “I needed time to feel comfortable posting those photos, and people needed time to see them.”
They hope that more can attend Pride Marches to increase visibility of the LGBTQ community. While there has been progress in terms of LGBTQ rights in the U.S., there are issues such as suicide among the LGBTQ youth that still need to be addressed.
They will continue attending marches to show gratitude to “all those who came before us and paved the way for the rights we have today,” Cardello told Mashable.
Perhaps a day will come when they will no longer need to march—but we hope they’ll continue to share their inspiring relationship.
For those who are looking for a Pride March in the Philippines, the Metro Manila Pride March will be held this Saturday, June 24, 2017 in Marikina. Visit this site for more information: Metro Manila Pride. Niña V. Guno/JB
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