AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday, the Travis County Clerk’s Office held a community vow renewal ceremony—From Vows to Victory.
The event was in celebration of the 10th anniversary of marriage equality, in which Travis County was the first to issue a same-sex marriage license in Texas.
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Group photo of newlywed and judges. (KXAN Photo/ Christian Rodriguez-Panesso) -
Same-sex couples renewing their vows. (KXAN Photo/ Christian Rodriguez-Panesso) -
Wide shot of speaker at From Vows to Victory. (KXAN Photo/ Christian Rodriguez-Panesso) -
Vow renewal couples at From Vows to Victory. (KXAN Photo/ Christian Rodriguez-Panesso)
From Vows to Victory included various speakers, ranging from judges to clerk workers, vow renewals and a miniature wedding.
“It’s been so joyful, so happy,” exclaimed Phillip Brady-Joyner, alongside his husband Justin Brady-Joyner. Like many in the crowd, they received their marriage license 10 years ago at the very office where the event took place.
“Ten years ago, we got married here at the Travis County Clerk’s Office, and it was such an incredible experience,” said Phillip. “We were really hopeful that things would change in the United States, but we didn’t necessarily know it would. Here we are – 10 years later – celebrating that moment.”
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Justin Brady-Joyner (left) alongside his husband (right) Phillip Brady-Joyner, signing their marriage license In Austin, June 26, 2015. (Courtesy of Phillip and Justin Brady-Joyner) -
Justin Brady-Joyner (left) and (right) Phillip Brady-Joyner posing after signing their marriage license. (Courtesy of Phillip and Justin Brady-Joyner) -
Phillip Brady-Joyner (right) proposing to Justin Brady-Joyner (left). (Courtesy of Phillip and Justin Brady-Joyner)
Unofficially wedded 23 years ago, Trish Clifford and Lorena De La Cruz-Blackard, another couple who got their marriage license back on June 26, 2015, detailed the very day.
“I didn’t know that I could feel any more committed than I already did,” Clifford exclaimed, “but something about having that marriage license, and having it be legal – that put a stamp of legitimacy … no one could deny us.”
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Lorena Georgina De La Cruz-Blackard (left) and Trish Clifford (right) signing their marriage license In Austin, Jun 26, 2015. (Courtesy of Lorena Georgina De La Cruz-Blackard) -
Trish Clifford (left) and Lorena Georgina De La Cruz-Blackard (right) posing after signing their marriage license. (Courtesy of Lorena Georgina De La Cruz-Blackard) -
Trish Clifford (left) and Lorena Georgina De La Cruz-Blackard (right) posing after signing their marriage license. (Courtesy of Lorena Georgina De La Cruz-Blackard)
Both couples had their vows renewed, with the ceremony being finished off with a miniature wedding.