'In love, and in rage': Queer couple hold wedding at Extinction Rebellion demonstration

A queer couple held a wedding ceremony on Westminster Bridge in London during the first day of Extinction Rebellion’s week of protests.

News . Written by Rebecca Kelly.

Wedding at Extinction Rebellion demonstration: Two women kissing while the crowd cheers behind them and rose petals are thrown in the air.

In the midst of the Extinction Rebellion protest yesterday Monday, October 7 on Westminster Bridge in London which blocked transport links city-wide, a couple held a wedding ceremony. The activists who had gathered in aid of spurring climate change action took a break from their protest to celebrate the marriage of fellow environmental campaigner Tamsin Omond and their partner Melissa.

The crowd gathered around the couple who exchanged vows and kissed in this unique wedding ceremony. In a video clip, the officiant speaks to the crowd as though they are family friends at any wedding ceremony saying: “We are here to witness, to celebrate and affirm the commitment to love made by Tamsin and Melissa at this time in their marriage. They give themselves to one another, trusting in the love of God to sustain their own love, promising faithfulness, trust and forgiveness in their life together.”

Many people and organisations reached out to extend well-wishes and congratulations to the couple across social media.

Friend of the couple, Sam Knights, posted a clip of the pair kissing after they exchanged vows with the large crowd that had gathered to witness the ceremony cheering them on.

https://twitter.com/samjknights/status/1181210595485523970?s=20

While the Extinction Rebellion group itself also took to Twitter to joyfully announce its first marriage, praising the couple for their dedication to the cause saying: “in love, and in rage, they stand on Westminster Bridge to be married.”

Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Rupert Read also congratulated the couple adding:

“So happy to witness my friend and longtime comrade Tamsin Omond marrying in this unique way.”

The warm wishes extended across the climate change movement with Jenny Jones of the Green Party saying “congratulations and good wishes from the bottom of my heart” as well as Caroline Ruseell, member of the London Assembly, sending the couple “massive congratulations.”

However, due to Westminster Bridge not being a licensed wedding venue this blessing was not legally binding and so the couple have also planned a legal wedding ceremony in the future.

With Extinction Rebellion and other climate change action protests happening almost daily worldwide, this may not be the last protest wedding ceremony we see in 2019.

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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