Join us for the 2025 Mahwah Pride celebration!
CELEBRATE 9 YEARS OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY
The "Love is Love" Shack
Show your spouse you love them and visit our Shack to renew your wedding vows. We'll have clergy of different faiths and secular officiants ready to witness your vows from 6:00-7:30PM. All married couples are welcome!
The Officiants
What's a vow renewal without an officiant? You can request Rabbi Ilana Schwartzman, Pastor Joseph Schattauer Paille, Reverend Steve Huston, or Mayor Jim Wysocki to do the honors. They will witness your vows and sign your personalized Vow Renewal Certificate.
You Can Do It In Style
Our Shack has photo backdrops and we'll have wedding veils, top hats, bow ties, and bouquets to borrow for the quick ceremony and a fast photo memory souvenir. We'll even have celebratory cupcakes while supplies last. After all, this is Pride!
Why Are We Doing This?
9 years ago, on June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court issued their ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges. In a 5-4 decision, in all 50 states, marriage equality became the law of the land, and same-sex couples were given the right to full, equal recognition and benefits of marriage under the law. The battle to this point was long with many setbacks and still was not codified into law in every state. We must celebrate and honor these victories for our rights as there are no future guarantees.
Marriage Equality in NJ
On January 10, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed S3416, the bill codifying marriage equality in New Jersey law by providing that all laws concerning marriage and civil union are to be read with gender neutral intent. Marriage equality in NJ had been previously established by state and federal court cases. Prior attempts before Obergefell had been blocked and vetoed by Governor Chris Christie.
Elsewhere, the Battle Continues
LGBTQ+ and privacy rights are under attack in the courts and in statehouses across the country. Extreme right-wing officials are attempting to rule and legislate a roll-back of established policy on marriage equality. For example, on February 21, 2024, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a law (HB 878) that states Judges, county clerks, and government officials “shall not be required to solemnize a marriage" if doing so goes against their beliefs. So if a couple's gender, race, religion or sexual orientation bothers a civic employee, they can choose not to marry them. We need to continue to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and demand marriage equality is codified into law all across the land.
But just for the Obergefell anniversary, grab your spouse, tell them you love them, and renew your vows at the "Love is Love" Shack