Hoosiers Unite For Marriage

In the past several months I have been asked to share our love story. Below is a copy of the email from one such inquiry with explanation of how our story will be used. 

Hi Talisa!!

Thank you so much for agreeing to share your story with our campaign. Highlighting personal stories is how we change hearts and minds and explain why marriage matters to all loving and committed couples.

Attached is the story we are hoping to add to our website. We are trying to move fast so please let us know if you approve it as soon as you can.

Thanks!!!

Kyle Megrath

Marriage Coordinator

Hoosiers Unite for Marriage

Our story will be shared on their website: 

www.hoosiersunite.org 

Below is the summary of our story that can be found there:

Hearing the exciting news that Indiana had struck down their marriage ban on June 25, 2014 was more than enough to make Talisa and Duste Eggers leave work early and rush to the county clerk’s office.

Though the couple was already committed to one another, legally filing for a marriage license in Indiana—the state they love—felt like a dream come true.

“We had already had a commitment ceremony last October, and it was a beautiful day,” Talisa said. “We were surrounded by supportive friends and family. It would have been perfect if our marriage had been legal that day, but Indiana still treats us as legal strangers.”

On that day in June, Talisa and Duste happily said their vows to one another again­–this time legally.

“Standing next to Talisa again and telling her that I promise to love and cherish her forever was amazing. I was just in shock that Indiana had stood on the right side of history and was finally going to respect our love for one another,” Duste explained. “If only it would have lasted.”

Mere days later, Governor Mike Pence announced that the state of Indiana would not respect the legal marriages of same-sex couples who wed during the three days of marriage equality. Talisa and Duste were heartbroken, again.

“We share a home and a bank account, but we can’t file taxes jointly because the state does not respect our marriage. I wanted to legally change my last name to reflect Duste’s, and I had to file documents with the court, run ads in the local paper explaining why I wanted to do so, and have a judge approve my name change,” Talisa said. “After over 10 years together, treating us as though we are strangers is upsetting and degrading. We got married–twice–and it is time for Indiana to respect that.”

To Duste and Talisa, Indiana’s refusal to respect their marriage stings the most when they consider their dreams of starting a family.

“Because our marriage isn’t recognized, whoever does not carry our child would have to adopt them. This process is long, difficult and expensive when you are not considered married,” Duste explained. “We just want to bring a child into the world knowing that we have everything that we can to protect them. And if Indiana doesn’t respect our marriage, we can’t do that.”

Talisa and Duste are determined to build a family and live happily in Indiana, but not having the freedom to marry is a constant struggle for the couple.

"It makes things harder, having to constantly wonder ‘what if’ in so many scenarios that legally married couples never have to worry about,” said Talisa. "But we will not put our dreams of having a family and raise our kids in Indiana on hold while the state decides to continue to discriminate against same sex couples. The time for the freedom to marry for all Hoosiers is now.”

Tell Governor Pence that Talisa and Duste’s marriage matters: Sign our petition urging the Governor to recognize Indiana’s legally married same-sex couples.