Photo:Jeremiah Drummond
Jeremiah Drummond
Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen III and Rashad Burgess tied the knot — again!
“It meant the world for us to finally bring all our family and friends together after 20 years of marriage to celebrate love,” Allen tells PEOPLE exclusively. “In a world with so much division, we seek to be the bridge that brings people together through the power of love.”
In 2005, they opened their church together with the goal that as Black members of the LGBTQ+ community, they would create a space where people could worship safely and where everyone felt accepted — something many could not find anywhere else, Allen toldTodayin February.
“When people of color, Black people couldn’t find solace in white LGBTQ spaces, we created our own," Allen told Today.com about the church’s mission. “We created our own of everything, whether it was our own fraternities and sororities, our own institutions, our own churches.”
The couple’s wedding celebration was stunning and elegant, as guests showered the aisle with white rose petals as the pair walked to a stage where they said ‘I do.’
Judge Glenda Hatchett— former star ofJudge Hatchettand close friend of the grooms – officiated the ceremony, where they shared their personal vows and exchanged newDavid Yurmanrings.
“We were both excited and emotional, especially when they opened the doors to the ceremony, and we saw all of our family and friends there to celebrate our 20 years of marriage,” Allen says.
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The happy couple tells PEOPLE there is so much they love about each other, and this day was a testament to that. What he loves most, Allen says, is “our humor.”
“We laugh a lot and always make sure we’re having fun on our journey together.”
As for the secret to 20 years of marriage, communication, support and unconditional love is the basis of a healthy relationship, the couple explains.
“We never got in the way of each other’s success because we always believe that we can be better versions of ourselves because we are in each other’s lives.”
source: people.com
