Vow renewal ceremony held in Austin in honor of 10 years of same-sex marriage

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Saturday, the Travis County Clerk’s Office held a community vow renewal ceremony—From Vows to Victory.

The event was in celebration of the 10th anniversary of marriage equality, in which Travis County was the first to issue a same-sex marriage license in Texas.

From Vows to Victory included various speakers, ranging from judges to clerk workers, vow renewals and a miniature wedding.

“It’s been so joyful, so happy,” exclaimed Phillip Brady-Joyner, alongside his husband Justin Brady-Joyner. Like many in the crowd, they received their marriage license 10 years ago at the very office where the event took place.

“Ten years ago, we got married here at the Travis County Clerk’s Office, and it was such an incredible experience,” said Phillip. “We were really hopeful that things would change in the United States, but we didn’t necessarily know it would. Here we are – 10 years later – celebrating that moment.”

Unofficially wedded 23 years ago, Trish Clifford and Lorena De La Cruz-Blackard, another couple who got their marriage license back on June 26, 2015, detailed the very day.

“I didn’t know that I could feel any more committed than I already did,” Clifford exclaimed, “but something about having that marriage license, and having it be legal – that put a stamp of legitimacy … no one could deny us.”

Both couples had their vows renewed, with the ceremony being finished off with a miniature wedding.