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An upcoming exhibit provides a local vignette of national history in the making. Ten years ago, a federal lawsuit in Buncombe County ended a ban on same-sex marriage in North Carolina. Buncombe County’s Register of Deeds office is commemorating the occasion with a photography display honoring couples who protested for their equal protections under the law. “Leading up to that ruling, I’d had the awful duty of upholding the state’s bigoted law, knowing it was immoral and unjust,” recalls Register of Deed Drew Reisinger. However, as soon as news of the ruling was announced, Drew kept his office open late for the crowd of people that had gathered in the lobby. “We quickly earned the reputation as a welcoming, friendly place where same-sex couples could obtain their marriage license. The love and joy evident in that lobby was one of the most beautiful scenes no one in that room will ever forget.”
During this momentous occasion, photographer Max Cooper had been covering protests and his amazing photography documents the emotional moment when the law changed. You can view this exhibit will be on display in the hallway of the Register of Deeds office through the end of 2024. There will be a public reception for the exhibit’s opening on Wednesday, June 12 at 5:15 p.m. at the Register of Deeds' office (205 College St., Asheville).
Q&A with Drew and Max
The Register of Deeds holds an elected office, and the views expressed in this are Q&A personal.
We asked Drew and Max a few questions about their experience witnessing this historical event.
Looking back, what was your reaction to the end of the same-sex marriage ban 10 years ago? How did people looking for same-sex marriage certificates react?
Drew Reisinger: Leading up to that ruling, I’d had the awful duty of upholding the state’s bigoted law, knowing it was immoral and unjust. A little after 5 p.m. on Friday, October 10, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara was telling the large crowd who had gathered that day that there would likely not be a ruling until the following week. I had the distinct pleasure of interrupting my friend to announce to the crowd that Judge Cogburn had made a ruling and the whole lobby erupted into tears of joy that so many in that room had waited a lifetime to shed. We kept the office open late that night and quickly earned the reputation as a welcoming, friendly place where same sex couples could obtain their marriage license. The love and joy evident in that lobby was one of the most beautiful scenes no one in that room will ever forget.
Why is hosting this exhibit important for you and the public?
Max Cooper: The 10th anniversary of this event is a time to remember that this landmark decision happened in downtown Asheville, in Buncombe County offices. A federal judge in Asheville made the ruling. The plaintiffs in the case were based in a church next door to the Register of Deeds’ office and went on to be couples and officiants in history-making weddings performed on that office's steps.
In the 10 years since this happened, what do you see that has changed and what still needs to change?
Max Cooper: As a wedding photographer, I'm glad to say that Asheville's wedding scene was quick to embrace marriage equality, and an inclusive and affirming attitude is universal among the venues and vendors with whom I work. Unfortunately, this is not the case in society at-large. Many of the proponents of Amendment One still hold office and political influence. One of our major political parties is running an openly bigoted candidate for North Carolina governor. These attitudes in public office are unacceptable after the courts have repeatedly affirmed marriage equality.
Would you like to say anything else about this exhibit?
Drew Reisinger: We are excited to host Max Cooper’s beautiful documentary photographs that captured the tension leading up to the law being overturned as well as the historic moments when the law was struck down. In celebration of Pride Month, we welcome all residents to come visit the gallery at 205 College St.