LGBTQ Interest

LOVE: The Heroic Stories of Marriage Equality

Celebrating the history of the LGBTQ+ community’s marriage equality movement from the 1950s until today, this triumphant journey is presented in compelling stories of the pioneering couples, along with winning photographs.

This beautiful, moving tome honors the brave LGBTQ+ couples, activists, and allies who fought for and ultimately gained the right to marry. The chronological presentation of 100 inspiring stories of these dauntless partners up to the strategists of today, recount how they were instrumental in bringing about this basic civil right. Beginning in the pre-1970s era when gay couples were nearly invisible, the story then shifts to the growing activism of the 1980s and 1990s, continues with the landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2015, which granted full marriage equality across the nation, and concludes with an exploration of current issues. These moving profiles, along with archival images, feature couples from major court cases, such as Jim Obergefell and John Arthur, along with well-known personalities whose narratives helped draw attention to marriage equality, including Cynthia Nixon and Christine Marinoni, George and Brad Takei, and Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.

About The Author

Frankie Frankeny is the founder of GoodDoxie Studios and a photographer/director. She has documented the marriage equality movement since 2004. Frankeny has also produced numerous award-winning books. John Casey is the senior editor/writer of The Advocate. Civil rights activist Jim Obergefell’s court case won marriage equality nationwide. Evan Wolfson is the author of Why Marriage Matters. Marc Solomon and others were involved in the fight for marriage equality.

  • Publish Date: April 15, 2025
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Social Science - LGBTQ+ Studies - Gay Studies
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 10-1/4 x 11-3/4
  • Pages: 368
  • US Price: $55.00
  • CDN Price: $75.00
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-4791-4

Reviews

Oprah Daily's Books that Got Us Through 2025: You may have missed it in the constant swirl of negative headlines, but 2025 did give us something to celebrate: the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling for nationwide marriage equality! This book honors that milestone by spotlighting 100 epic love stories that fueled the movement, from quietly heroic 1950s sweethearts to iconic celebrity activists. At once heartwarming and motivating, this visual archive is a reminder that love—and courage—really can change the world. —C.B.

“I was privileged to participate in the play 8 by Dustin Lance Black, about the legal fight for the right to marry for two couples. In giving voice and rights to their truth, it gave hope and rights to others. This wonderful book is a chronicle of all those efforts. I am excited for others, through this book, to bear witness to this powerful, life-changing combining of love.”
—JAMIE LEE CURTIS

“This book honors seven decades of courage, love, and determination by the LGBTQ+ community. These stories are a powerful and triumphant roadmap for future generations to protect marriage equality.”
—GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California

“Like the famous quote from my wife, Edie Windsor, ‘Don’t postpone joy,’ this ‘joyous’ book is filled with glorious LGBTQ+ love stories through the ages.”
—JUDITH KASEN-WINDSOR

“I’ve never been happier to lose something. This beautiful book celebrates the many heroes who shared their stories and, as a result,
changed hearts, minds, and our nation.”
—RICHARD HODGES, respondent, Obergefell v. Hodges

Author Bookshelf: Frankie Frankeny, John Casey, Jim Obergefell, Evan Wolfson