Making a Statement...Subtly

There are a lot of causes that I support.  The Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Shriners Hospitals for Children are my top 3.  I donate money to each of them through a paycheck deduction with every paycheck.  I donate used clothing and home goods to the Purple Heart Foundation a few times a year, as well.  I also donate to random causes throughout that year that catch my attention. 

One of those random causes recently has been White Knot for Equality in support of marriage equality.  I have gay and lesbian friends who don't get to get married.  Even though they are in longterm, committed, loving relationships.  This saddens me.  So I support White Knot for Equality.  I support the Ban on Prop 8.  When it was overturned by the courts in California, I was elated.  I might have cried.

I wanted to find some way to tie (ha!) this into our wedding.  I asked Matt about having a bowl of the white knot pins sitting on the table with our escort cards for people take one if they choose.  Matt was kind of...concerned.  And honestly, I'm not surprised.  This subject is a touchy one.  I've gotten into debates about it already with people (once at our Super Bowl party, nonetheless).  Matt doesn't want to bring politics into our wedding day or increase the risk of some sort of awkward stand-off between guests.  He doesn't want someone to feel cornered when they're approached and asked, "Why aren't you wearing a knot?"  And I totally see his point. 

But it's still important enough to me that I want to recognize and stand in some solidarity with my friends.  So I will be pinning a small white knot somewhere on my dress.

(source)

I haven't decided where yet.  I am also going to tie the OOTs shut with a white knot.  I'll know what it means, but probably 90% of our guests will just think the bag was tied shut to make it easier to transport.  If someone asks me about it, I will proudly tell them.  But I'm not going to force it down their throats.  I think it's a way to acknowledge the cause without forcing it into people's consciousness for the day.