‘One day, being gay will just be a thing that’s a thing’
Still progress to be made: Same-sex marriage makes unique statement opening Wolfville’s Pride week
Mike Butler remembers feeling shocked when one date among those listed in his news story on Pride week stood out among the others — his wedding date, July 14.
“I was like, ‘huh, wait a sec. That’s my wedding day,’” he laughs, recalling the moment.
Butler and his longtime boyfriend Ian Brunton had not realized their big day would coincide with the kickoff of Pride Week in Wolfville, but decided to seize the day in more ways than one.
The pair used the happy coinci- dence to add even more meaning to the day that would become the best-yet in their lives.
“I remember when we couldn’t get married, and when there were no Pride events. But we had a chapel filled with 150 people that have our backs,” says Butler.
He and Brunton, dressed in purple vests and Converse sneakers, went to visit the recently-raised Pride flag after the ceremony and spoke with other LGBTQ+ community members there.
Brunton says being there with their friends gave the coincidence more weight, and that their wedding was making a statement.
“It became political, and added a nice dimension to it. Being able to start Pride week with a gay wedding was a unique experience and statement for everyone, I think,” he says.
“Even in Wolfville — there is still progress that can happen.”
In the eight years they’ve been together, the couple has never had any issues walking hand-in-hand along Wolfville’s streets.