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Friday, January 16, 2015

Liz and Ryan Update: Still Denied the Right to Marry


One of our favorite friends of FME and Friend of Lily, Liz, generously agreed to be interviewed for another update. You can read about the beautiful relationship she has with her brother by reading this original interview and this previous update. They are essentially married; but they are denied the legal recognition of their marriage by their own government, and not protected from discrimination or bullying. [This has been bumped up because of an update below - November 20, 2014]

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FME: How are things going between you and your brother?

Liz: Things are going very well. Our relationship is still strong. Any arguments are minor and don't last long. We don't make love quite as often as we used to, but that's from Ryan being tired from being busy at work as much as it is from having to care for a baby. I still can’t imagine it being any better.


How is your daughter? Last I saw, she was an adorable baby.

She certainly is adorable, and I'm not saying that just because I'm her mom. She is a year-old now, and is walking. She is smart; she recognizes some words, and she figures out how to get into things. Ryan and I love being parents.


I noticed she didn't have two heads.

There is nothing wrong with her at all. Ten fingers, ten toes, completely perfect. I just wish people wouldn't keep making the same old comments when they hear about incest children - that they turn out to be freaks or something. It is simply not true.


As I like to say, most children born to close relatives are healthy, and if it wasn’t so, we’d all be in big trouble because most people, whether the records show it or not, have parents who were close relatives not too far back in their ancestry. Have you let any more people know about the full nature of your relationship, or has anyone else found out that you know of?

As of now, only our parents and one of my friends knows the truth. They needed time to adjust, but now they are OK with it. I have also met many people in online chats and they have been overwhelmingly supportive. I am thankful to those people.


You’re both attractive people. Have you or your brother had to decline date proposals from others, and if so, how have you handled that?

Not recently. People believe we're married, or they at least know we're a couple (without knowing we're related of course). In the past I have had to turn down guys. I told them I was seeing someone else, which was true.


People in love and in a closed relationship often have a “look,” even if they are somewhere by themselves, that tells other they are not available and that they are happy. I would imagine that is strong in your case, and now you have your young daughter with you. That probably lets people know not to bother asking you out. What do you want people to know who disapprove of your love, or say you are sick or that you couldn't possibly have consented to this relationship?

I want them to know that they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. They can not convince me that it is wrong, because I know in my heart it is right. I have always felt it was right that my brother and I are together. I would feel empty without him, incomplete. He is my soulmate.


What do you want to say to supporters and allies?

Thank you, to everyone who support us, everyone who knows what we are doing is right. We need all the people we can to try to change society for the better. There are many people out there who are having these feelings and they are being told it's wrong. We need to reach out to them, support them, tell them it's OK. We need to work together to repeal the laws against incest. They've already done it in some countries and some states here in the US. We need to build on that.


I understand you are helping others. What can you tell us about that?

I have met many people through online chats. Some have wanted advice or help with their situation. I do whatever I can for them. Some are in situations that remind me strongly of the early days of my relationship with my brother, and I let them know that I understand what they are going through and I tell them what I did and how I got to where I am now. If anyone wants to chat with me, either for advice or just to talk about their situation, I am more than happy to do it.


Any additional advice to someone who has romantic or sexual feelings for a close biological relative?

Yes. First of all, you are not wrong or sick to have these feelings. There are many out there like you. Second, do not think that you will never be able to enjoy a romantic or sexual relationship with a relative. Yes, there is a chance that he or she would not feel the same way. However, you will never know unless you try. I wouldn't be in this wonderful relationship if my brother hadn't confessed how he felt to me, and I am so glad that he did. Just take things one step at a time, and when you feel it's the right time tell your brother, sister, mother, father, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, cousin, or whoever, how you feel. If you need help, there are people out there, like me, who will do what we can. You can do it, don't give up.


Any particular plans for the future? Would you still get legally married if you could?

Yes, we would get married if we could. We would announce our happiness to the world if we could. I don't like having to hide things from my friends and neighbors. As for future plans, we do plan on having more children one day. Also, we will one day have to find a larger house for our growing family.


Is there is anything else you want to add?

Never, ever give up. It sounds like a cliche, but it's true.

***

The years go by, and people in consanguinamorous relationships, living as spouses, have to hide and live with their freedom to marry being denied. We need full marriage equality sooner rather than later, so that they can have the marriages they want. It is ridiculous that they have to wait any longer.

Read other interviews here.

UPDATE from November 20, 2014...

Liz has joined the fun at Kindred Spirits

Here are a couple of the things she's had to say there, updating us on her love with Ryan.
I'm 25 and in a happy relationship with my brother. We have been together for some time, and live as a couple. It hasn't always been easy for us, of course, but we're happy and making this relationship work.
...
I am in a relationship with my brother, and we have a daughter. I had wanted to have a child for some time, but was unsure about whether it would be ok to do so. After researching and also chatting with couples like us who did have children we decided to do it. She is nearly 4 now, happy and healthy. I am so glad that we had her, and we do plan to have another. 


It's always good to hear from Liz.

Here's an update!
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14 comments:

  1. Good interview Keith! :D Your interview continue to intrigue me.

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  2. That was a very beautiful and inspiring interview, and I'd love to know the story behind it. Actually, gonna read the links you provided. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who thinks like this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This type of relationship, if you will, is more common than society as a whole would like to admit.

      Delete
  3. I hope they'll never be imprisoned for this, it would be a shame -.-
    The punishment of consensual incest HURTS people who didn't harm anybody, spends public resources and doesn't protect any victim...
    Why is still illegal?
    -Cornelius

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    Replies
    1. I can think of no good reasons to keep consensual incest illegal.
      -Liz Smith

      Delete
  4. any way to see pictures of them and there daughter?

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    Replies
    1. That's up to her. I used to interact with her on a social networking service that included pictures.

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  5. Their story inspired me to ask a question on a certain international forum on this matter. The question I asked was: "Would you report a long time couple that had a child to the authorities if you found out they were full biological siblings?

    Several posters - a German, a Pole, a Finn and two Russians - misunderstood me and thought I was planning to report a couple involved in such a relationship in real life, and they promptly told me to mind my own business. Several more replied with a flat-out no. One said no but was clearly uneasy with the idea. Two - an Israeli and an American - replied that they would. Overall 10-12 individuals were against reporting them and two for.

    Pretty good results, don't you think? Not that it should be a representative of the general population, but it showcases a hopefully positive trend.

    By the way, you may find the following link an interesting read:
    http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/marriage-next-of-kin
    It's fun to think that not only Liz and Ryan's relationship would have been found acceptable in Zoroastrian Persia, but holy as well.

    Then there are games like this:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pntRkvu_aR0
    Which feature close-kin incestuous marriage/relationships without it being a porn game (It's a grand strategy that simulates the feudal system of Medieval Europe.)
    I'm not sure if they're just catering to fetishists and their actual position on that matter is opposing, but the fact that it's there and it's acceptable is a good sign nonetheless.

    PS: I submitted this post earlier but the connection timed out and I'm not sure if it was properly submitted, so this may be in-fact a double post. If that's the case, I apologize and just delete this.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks or sharing that, Anonymous, and thanks for doing what you did. I encourage people to open minds that way. Feel free to copy and paste from this blog or link to this blog to assist you in such undertakings.

      Delete
    2. Wow, those are good results. Maybe one day more people will be ok with the relationship my brother and I have.
      -Liz Smith - blond_one89@ymail.com

      Delete
  6. Seducing parents? It's so seductive! I don't know why, but some mothers and son are naturally attracted to each other! Maybe its a genetic attraction? I mean: mother and son fit very well with each other since always? Well, sons came from mother's body and is not strange that some sons really like theirs mothers touch, scent, curves, etc. And some mothers feels the same way too!

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  7. Hi everyone. It's Liz here, and I just want to make sure that everyone has the most current contact information so you can reach me.

    Email: blond_one89@tutamail.com
    Wickr: blondone89
    Wire: Liz Smith@blondone89

    Thank you for your support.

    Liz Smith

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi everyone. It's Liz again. I'm still around. My family and I are doing well. My contact info is still the same, so if anyone wants to chat or just say Hi or needs advice, feel free to reach out.

    Email: blond_one89@tutamail.com
    Wickr: blondone89
    Wire: Liz Smith@blondone89

    Thank you for your support.

    Liz Smith

    ReplyDelete

To prevent spam, comments will have to be approved, so your comment may not appear for several hours. Feedback is welcome, including disagreement. I only delete/reject/mark as spam: spam, vulgar or hateful attacks, repeated spouting of bigotry from the same person that does not add to the discussion, and the like. I will not reject comments based on disagreement, but if you don't think consenting adults should be free to love each other, then I do not consent to have you repeatedly spout hate on my blog without adding anything to the discourse.

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