Every once in awhile I have an encounter with someone whose infectious spirit and joy make me feel fortunate to simply be in that person’s presence. This was the case today when I met a woman named Mandy Stef Gilk. Our group of marchers were walking through the farming community of Winlock with its population of 1,339 people when Mandy ran ecstatically out of her house to greet us. She wanted to thank us for marching. Within seconds, we were invited inside her home for coffee.
Mandy not only shared her home with us, she also shared her life story. An important part of that story was finding the love of her life five years ago. One of the most meaningful days in Mandy’s life was the day that her and her wife celebrated their civil union together. In listening to Mandy, it was quickly evident that her wife made her feel happy and complete. It was also evident that Mandy was blessed to have a supportive family. Mandy’s mother was there for our visit and was also grateful for our marching. She even hopes to join us when we reach Olympia. When Mandy and her wife celebrated their union together, Mandy’s mother was her maid of honor. Mandy was walked down the aisle by her “two fathers”: her biological father as well as her mother’s second husband.
I suspect that there are some people living in urban and suburban areas who would never imagine gay and lesbian couples thriving in rural areas, but this is a word that would fittingly describe Mandy and her family. About gay and lesbian persons who live in rural areas, Mandy says, “Some of us do live in ‘rednecksville’ and have farms and live this version of the American Dream.” In fact, Mandy’s family just put in a bid to buy a new farm that would allow them to enter into the pig business with a good-sized operation.
When we left Mandy’s house, Mandy joined us for part of our march. For an hour, we chatted with her. For an hour, we felt spiritually enriched and renewed by her presence. Our encounter with Mandy made today truly a day of blessings and good fortune. On the day on which Governor Gregoire signed the marriage equality bill into law, I found myself encouraged to think that this law will create the legal and cultural conditions that will ultimately enable even more same-sex couples like Mandy and her wife to thrive in the state of Washington regardless of where they live. To that, I can only say, “Amen and thank God!”
