Michigan LGBT community celebrates Supreme Court decision
Posted: Jun 26, 2015 9:25 PM EST | Updated: May 11, 2016 8:46 PM EST
“My father passed away last year and my mom hasn't been in very good health, and I thought I'd really like to see her see us get married,” said Randy Shingledecker, from Sawyer Michigan.
He has waited 16 years to marry his boyfriend, Andrew Knecht.
“We thought we might have to get married in Illinois, but now we don't,” Knecht said.
Friday's Supreme Court decision says that not only must all 50 states recognize same sex marriages, but they must allow couples to marry in the states.
“I was thrilled. I didn't know what to say. I was kind of speechless,” Shingledecker said of the moment he heard the news.
The feeling was the same at the Out Center in Benton Harbor
“It's a great day. It's a great victory, and it was generations in waiting,” said Mary Jo Schnell, executive director of the Out Center.
But Schnell says there is still work to be done.
“Marriage equality helps tremendously but we have more work to do,” said Schnell.
Shingledecker and Knecht have more work ahead of them for their July wedding, and Shingledecker's mom can't wait to attend.
“She's thrilled. She can't wait for the day,” Shingledecker said.