Love Unites Richmond:
Robin & Jonathan

Karen Newton
February 8, 2012

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

Join Jonathan Lebolt & Robin Gorsline at Love Unites Richmond by clicking here.

Robin and Jonathan met at a Radical Faeries gathering in upstate New York in 1991. Robin was newly single, and Jonathan was there with his former partner. They all became friends and remained friends for six years back in Brooklyn, where they lived.

Jonathan and his partner parted ways.  Robin realized he was in love with Jonathan — they’ve been together for fourteen years since then.

Robin & Jonathan married on August 21, 1999, in front of 50 family members and friends, in Brooklyn in an interfaith ceremony they wrote and led themselves. They’ve decided to wait until their marriage is legally recognized in Virginia before proceeding to be legally married.

“Marriage equality is important, not only for the rights that adhere to married couples, but more so because it is a recognition on the part of the entire community of the sanctity and centrality of the union of two souls,” Robin explains. “It is a social recognition that all families are valued.”

Robin was born in Milford, MI, and has lived in Michigan, Massachusetts, Maine, New York City, and Virginia. Jonathan was born in Baldwin, New York (on Long Island) and has lived in New York City and Virginia.

They came to Virginia because Robin was called to pastor Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond. Jonathan has since then built a private therapy practice. Over the past eight years Virginia has become home to them and they cherish its beauty and the beautiful people. “Our souls are content here, even as we seek to create change and enhance the natural beauty with more justice and openness to diversity,” says Robin.

Robin is a pastor of MCC as well as President of People of Faith for Equality in Virginia. Each Valentine’s Day, he spearheads the effort to apply for marriage licenses at the city clerk’s office. Jonathan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice. He also is a musical performer, playing the piano and singing at different venues.

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.