by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid - SGN A&E Writer

Somehow seeing folks dressed as Santas and Santa's elves around Capitol Hill last Saturday let me know it was a special day. As I chatted with two of the Santas, I found out they were part of a pub crawl around Capitol Hill that started in the a.m. and went until the p.m. called Santarchy. It was the perfect highlight to the day that two of my Transgender friends, Randy Thompson and Kelly Bradshaw, tied the knot.

The traditional pagan ceremony was held on December 12, just a little past noon in the recreational room where Thompson's brother lives. It was attended by at least 100 friends, family and extended family community members. As the bride and groom stood before the crowd, a woman minister crowned with a garland of leaves performed a pagan ceremony that was both meaningful and beautiful and left many guests with tears of joy in their eyes.

Bradshaw - dressed in a vintage, '70s-style off-white wedding dress with a pearl-bedecked updo - and Thompson - in a simple dark suit - soberly but happily said their vows, and it seemed the whole room filled with light, both from the December sunshine outside and all the love within this intimate room. Everyone laughed a bit when the ring being presented to Thompson for Bradshaw nearly found its way to the floor, but was saved at the last moment and was placed on the new bride's finger.

After the ceremony, guests, family members and old friends mingled in a common room, where a bountiful potluck awaited and nourished them all. Photos were taken, the gorgeous wedding cake was cut, and toasts were made to the bride and groom, who happily greeted and chatted with guests, friends and friends of guests. Later, dressed in another '70s-style cocktail dress, Bradshaw beamed with pride and happiness. Even as the crowd emptied from the reception, the feeling of community happiness that had permeated the entire ceremony kept everyone smiling.

Congratulations, Randy and Kelly, and may your union last forever and prove that love can blossom in this community, no matter what external prejudices still exist.

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