My Interview

Gaelyn Sullivan and I interviewed Susan and Diane on April 2, 2011.  Susan and Diane are a lesbian married couple who reside in Shelburne, VT. Gaelyn and I chose Susan and Diane to interview because we wanted a personal view on the topic of same sex marriage.

    Susan and Diane started off by saying that they had planned for a civil union and not a marriage. But when the right to marry was available to same sex couple in VT, they decided to have a wedding instead.  Diane said she struggled with the idea of a marriage. She wanted to make a statement with a civil union instead of having a traditional wedding but Susan felt the opposite. She came from a more traditional background where you were expected to marry.  So, they decided to have a wedding but made a couple of alterations, like walking down the aisle together instead of alone.  Diane said that every aspect had to be talked out because they had family on both sides that did not approve. In the end, they decided that the day was meant for them and not for anyone else, so they did what they wanted, and pleased them selves.  Diane and Susan where both married before they met and both of them have children. They said it was hard when they did come out because there where no support groups or anyone to really help you understand your sexuality.  They where very glad to hear that so many students are comfortable and open about their sexuality at CVU. "It took me years to actually come out" Diane said. "I'm glad to hear that kids are exploring their options now."  Diane and Susan also told us that by allowing same sex marriage in a state, that state becomes more economically set. "If only a few states allow same sex marriage and a lot of same sex couples want to get married, then they are going to pay to have their wedding in that state" said Susan.
      Susan and Diane where, originally, not the people I was going to interview.  I had decided to interview Saban Littlefield of Outright Vermont, but he is on vacation for these next few weeks. When Gaelyn offered to have a joint interview with me I was very excited to get a personal viewpoint on same sex marriage from a same sex married couple.  When I meet Susan and Diane, and sat down to our interview, they where so open and comfortable with talking to us about this topic.  I found that I didn't have to ask many questions because instead of having a quick interview we had a nice discussion that last just over 45 minutes. Gaelyn and I enjoyed talking with them so much we forgot about the time! I left their home with so much information on same sex marriage that I had never considered before. It was a great experience getting to know them.