Love Through Time: History and Equality

I’ve always been fascinated by history; not just the names and dates, but the stories of people who dared to change the world. I grew up in Richmond, VA, and my dad was a history major, so my interest in the past was inevitable. Walking through a centuries-old building or along cobblestone streets feels like stepping into a living conversation between past and present. The echoes of those who came before remind me how far we’ve come, and how much love and courage it took to get here.

When I met DJ, I wanted to share that passion with him, and it didn’t take long for him to realize that I know too many random historical and political facts. We’re practically a trivia team power couple: he has music and culture and I have history and current events. But he’s seen how my eyes lit up at the Virginia State Capitol, where democracy took root; and at Colonial Williamsburg, where ideas of liberty first began to stir. Together, we’ve wandered through the marble halls of the North Carolina State Capitol, the grand avenues of Washington, D.C., and the bustling historic streets of Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City.

But my love of history isn’t just about architecture or politics, it’s about people. It’s about the milestones that changed lives, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. From the Stonewall uprising in 1969 to the fight for marriage equality culminating in 2015, these moments form a powerful timeline of courage and hope. The LGBTQ timeline on this page highlights that passion, as it blends my love of history, politics, and LGBTQ advocacy. It shows how much progress we’ve made, but also that some of the setbacks highlighted weren’t that long ago.

DJ has become part of my passion for history, and I’ve come to see our relationship as part of the broader story I’ve always cherished. Our love stands on the shoulders of countless others who made this possible. When we walk through the grounds of an historic sight or wander down a colonial street, we know we’re not just visitors, we’re participants in an ongoing legacy of love, equality, and progress.

Our elopement wasn’t only a celebration of us, it was a quiet tribute to everyone who came before, and a promise to keep making history together.