As We Head Into the Fifth Circuit – A Reflection of Gratitude

Derek Penton-Robicheaux, who with his husband Jon is a plaintiff in the marriage-equality lawsuit out of Louisiana, shares his thoughts as the Fifth Circuit hears the appeal of his case tomorrow. 

Seventeen months ago, my husband, Jon Penton-Robicheaux, and I decided that it was time that our marriage mean more for us here where we live, than what Louisiana would allow. We decided that it was no longer acceptable for Louisiana to treat us and our marriage as inadequate.  We sought to change that, not only for us, but for other Louisiana same-sex families as well. Joined by Courtney and Nadine Blanchard shortly thereafter, our journey began in a New Orleans District Court. Tomorrow that journey continues through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals here in New Orleans.

As I sit here getting ready for this busy day, to be followed by an even busier day tomorrow, I think about how long this journey has been and I reflect on my feelings.

Today, I would like to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for your part in this. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us, sent kind words, or just kept us in your thoughts. For without you, our sanity would not be intact. We would like to thank all of the other brave plaintiffs in our case, and in cases all across the country, you all have opened yourselves up and given so much of your families for this important fight. To the legal teams representing our case and all other cases around the country, you folks are rock stars! We couldn’t say thank you enough.

We have been on this journey for what seems like a very long time. We’ve heard all the positive and negative, and still we press on, unwavering, in a fight that we believe in, even when some thought it impossible. Today we stand on the eve of what is a very important day in that fight. For we know tomorrow, three judges have the power to change and alter the lives of not only those here in Louisiana, but in Texas and Mississippi as well. While we won’t have any answers, we will hopefully have some resemblance of peace of mind coming out of their questions. But tomorrow is not just about the Fifth Circuit. Aside from the oral argument hearings we face tomorrow, the Supreme Court will also be in conference, considering whether to take up our case, along with cases from Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio.  

People ask me if I’m nervous about tomorrow. My answer to that is NO, I’m not nervous. I’m ready for battle, I’m ready to be heard, and I’m ready to secure my right as a family. This is but another step on the road to our destination. I’ve always believed that our rights will prevail. I’ve always believed that in the end we win this fight. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week, but in the END, WE DO.

Derek Penton-Robicheaux

January 8, 2015

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If you are in New Orleans and want to be a part of this historic day there are some events that are scheduled by our friends at Freedom To Marry, Forum For Equality, Lambda Legal, Campaign For Southern Equality, and Equality Texas. You can check those events and RSVP here.

 

Derek Penton-Robicheaux, 37, is a native of Mississippi and a longtime resident of New Orleans.  He holds degrees in computer information systems and paramedicine.  After more than five years together, Derek and his husband, Jonathan Penton-Robicheaux, were legally married in Iowa on Sept. 23, 2012. The two are the first plaintiffs involved in the Federal Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuit in Louisiana, Robicheaux et al. v Caldwell.