Love Unites Richmond:
Debbi & Susan

Karen Newton
February 7, 2012

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Read More: Freedom to Marry, Love Unites Richmond, Marriage Equality, relationships, Valentine's Day

Join Susan Minyard & Debbi Harrington at Love Unites Richmond by clicking here.

Susan and Debbi met at a Grammy Party in Nashville, Tennessee in 1992. Tellingly, Natalie Cole was the big winner that night for her “Unforgettable” album and song. They courted in Nashville, and moved to Richmond in July of 1994 making their relationship one of eighteen and a half years.

They married in Manhattan Beach, California on September 30, 2008 after fifteen years together. “Our commitment to each other is nothing less than marriage and to call it something different than marriage detracts from the relationship we have,” Debbi says. “We deserve not only the right to marry and to form our own family, but we also deserve the right to call our relationship what it truly is and that is a marriage.”

They relocated to Richmond in 1994 and never had any intention of staying longer than a couple of years. They had the good fortune of moving into a neighborhood, the Museum District, that they’ve found to be very loving and respectful of their marriage.

“This is our home and our neighbors are our family. While the political environment of Virginia is troublesome for the “forever,” this is our home, and the time to leave has never been appropriate. If politics do not change, we will retire elsewhere,” Debbi admits.

Debbi is an Insurance Underwriter and Susan is a Healthcare Executive.

Raise awareness for marriage equality on Feb. 12 at Love Unites Richmond. The evening cocktail reception at Chez Foushee includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast. Donations for Freedom to Marry will be accepted.  For tickets and more information, visit LoveUnitesRichmond.com.

Karen Newton is a freelance writer and full-time nerd who isn’t happy unless she’s going out every night for food, music or art and blogging it at www.icouldgoonandon.blogspot.com.