On a Sunday day trip to Troy's parents, both he and life-partner Qadree (you can call him Q) are passing the car ride to Algonquin, Ill by discussing the nature of their six-year long relationship. At some point, Q drops the T-word: "Traditional."
"Really?" Troy questions, "That's what you want to say? Traditional?"
However, Q does not waver in the light of his husband's disapproval. "Yes," he attests, following with words like "birthdays," "holidays," "family" and "social customs." To this, Troy concedes.
"We're in it for the long haul," he says, "to each other."—something he doesn't see so prevalent in the gay community. "For the rough points. The high points."
Considering the notion that their "traditional commitment" stems from a BBQ which Q hosted at his home six years ago, the two laugh. Troy was a guest of a mutual acquaintance, and neither were expecting there to be another gay person in attendance. Had he known, Troy says he would have worn a different outfit. With only a year into dating, Q knew Troy was "the one." He beseeched Troy's parents for their blessing in requesting his hand in matrimony, proposed on a family cruise to the Bahamas and on September 22, 2007, the two expressed their dedication to their lifelong commitment in a ceremony shared with their friends and family. For them, taking part in the mass civil-union officiating service, hosted by the City of Chicago and Lamda Legal at Millennium Park June 2, 2011, will serve as a renewal of their strong vows and as a strongly resounding political statement.
"It will be a strengthening of our [pledge to one another] and a celebration of the fact our state has passed this [legislation]," Troy says. "It's amazing."
Q echoes Troy's sentiments, "It's a show of the progress the state has made. We become the state others look to as the example … [in serving] good, hard-working, tax-paying citizens." Q reflects again, suggesting their involvement in the Millennium Park ceremony may never have taken place had Troy not been so demanding in asking Q out for the first time with, "So do you want see me or what?"
"I don't remember being so direct," Troy interjects.
And, with the same steadfast resolve emoted when dropping the T-word, Q responds, "I do."
Leading up the historical, mass civil-unions ceremony held at Millenium Park, June 2, 2011, by the Chicago Human Relations Advisory Committee on LGBT issues, The Chicago Committee on Special Events and Lambda Legal, ChicagoPride.com celebrates the love and commitment of five couples taking part in the day's legally-binding festivities.
"Really?" Troy questions, "That's what you want to say? Traditional?"
However, Q does not waver in the light of his husband's disapproval. "Yes," he attests, following with words like "birthdays," "holidays," "family" and "social customs." To this, Troy concedes.
"We're in it for the long haul," he says, "to each other."—something he doesn't see so prevalent in the gay community. "For the rough points. The high points."
Considering the notion that their "traditional commitment" stems from a BBQ which Q hosted at his home six years ago, the two laugh. Troy was a guest of a mutual acquaintance, and neither were expecting there to be another gay person in attendance. Had he known, Troy says he would have worn a different outfit. With only a year into dating, Q knew Troy was "the one." He beseeched Troy's parents for their blessing in requesting his hand in matrimony, proposed on a family cruise to the Bahamas and on September 22, 2007, the two expressed their dedication to their lifelong commitment in a ceremony shared with their friends and family. For them, taking part in the mass civil-union officiating service, hosted by the City of Chicago and Lamda Legal at Millennium Park June 2, 2011, will serve as a renewal of their strong vows and as a strongly resounding political statement.
"It will be a strengthening of our [pledge to one another] and a celebration of the fact our state has passed this [legislation]," Troy says. "It's amazing."
Q echoes Troy's sentiments, "It's a show of the progress the state has made. We become the state others look to as the example … [in serving] good, hard-working, tax-paying citizens." Q reflects again, suggesting their involvement in the Millennium Park ceremony may never have taken place had Troy not been so demanding in asking Q out for the first time with, "So do you want see me or what?"
"I don't remember being so direct," Troy interjects.
And, with the same steadfast resolve emoted when dropping the T-word, Q responds, "I do."
Leading up the historical, mass civil-unions ceremony held at Millenium Park, June 2, 2011, by the Chicago Human Relations Advisory Committee on LGBT issues, The Chicago Committee on Special Events and Lambda Legal, ChicagoPride.com celebrates the love and commitment of five couples taking part in the day's legally-binding festivities.
