Love is Love By Rev. Patrick Rogers, MDiv.
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Photo Courtesy of Rev. Patrick Rogers, MDiv.
uring 2003, I filmed and produced a short film. The topic was “Long-Term LGBT Partners.” At the time, same-sex marriage wasn’t legal and my goal was to educate the viewer about the existence of long-term same sex couples. One couple I interviewed had been in a partnership celebrating 68 years together! They explained that while serving during World War II, they met during combat in a bunker on the battlefield. The couple told me an abbreviated version of their life together and suddenly one partner quickly left the room. He returned holding a black and white picture housed by a beautiful antique picture frame. The photograph was of the two of them on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. They were in their early twenties. I looked at the picture and responded, “You guys were hot!” At 88 years of age, one replied, “We still are!” The love between them glowed. Later in the discussion, they revealed that one of them had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I asked about any regrets about their life together. They responded with, “We fought for freedom in America. The only regret we have is that we could never marry legally.” Legal marriage never became a reality for them. It was twelve years later that samesex marriage became law. During the month of February, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. I always think of that interview. I knew that they were married in God’s heart. This year, choose to celebrate those 68 plus years together! Rev. Patrick Rogers, MDiv. – Community Activist and Senior Pastor at United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale OutClique.com | 89
