‘My Love Is Valid’: Gay Marriage Advocate At Equality Party

Crowd celebrates at Lucky's in DTSF

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The chant “love has won” was heard in downtown Sioux Falls Friday night as people celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states.

A small crowd of people from the Center for Equality, Sioux Falls Pride, family, friends and others gathered at Lucky’s for a marriage equality party to  commemorate the historical day.

It was a day of victory for same-sex couples and others in Sioux Falls who are striving for equality.

Adam Jorgensen said, “It just means like kind of a weight’s lifted off all of our shoulders. We don’t have to focus on this. We can focus on being happy together.”

The Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage across the country came as a surprise for many people like Jorgensen, who didn’t expect the decision or a party to happen until Monday.

“They kind of threw us this kind of happy curveball, I guess,” said Jorgensen.

The decision is opening doors not only for Jorgensen and his boyfriend, Thomas, but for Terri Carlson’s son, David.

“I think it gives David and all the other people of the LGBTQ community this feeling that yeah, we belong. We are the same as everyone else.”

Amy Sudbeck celebrated the day with her partner of four years. While she says she doesn’t necessarily want to get married, Sudbeck says she’s always wanted the freedom to do so.

Sudbeck said, “I love and I want to be recognized that my love is valid.”

Sudbeck has been open about her sexual orientation since she was 14 years old and almost two decades later, she has the freedom to validate the love she wants.

According to her, it’s all thanks to one group.

“The young people of America are truly to thank for this and just keep going guys. I love it,” said Sudbeck.

Jorgensen says the country may be over the hurdle of marriage equality, but that there’s still work to be done with transgender rights, youth suicide rates, and LGBT teens.

Other gay marriage advocates say the next big job is to make sure discrimination doesn’t happen in areas like the workplace.