These were our temporary engagement rings. My then girlfriend now wife, bought them in a store for cheap accessories. And they don’t even fit. About the material, I guess its steel but I don’t know. The proposal was very spontaneous and when I ask my wife about it nowadays she just retells: “I just can’t and won’t live without you”. Luckily these rings are replaced and the new one I wear every day. Anywhere I go.
I’ve been traveling to a lot to countries where LGBTQ people, their lives and experiences are not recognized. Often when filling out visa applications I stumble upon the question: “Are you married?”, thinking: “Yes I am, but wouldn’t be in this country”. So am I or not? Yes and No. In these situations I always feel very privileged to be able to live with the one I love without major oppression. In this way my life in Sweden is great. Sure, I’ve dealt with homophobia and harassment of myself as a woman. But never in a violent way such as many other LGBTQ people have, leading up to them being forced to hide or flee.
I really wish for the world to be a safe and peaceful place for all of us, everywhere, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity or religion. I wish for people to be able to live openly and freely. I hope that in the future I will be able to fill in “married” anywhere I go. Until then, I’ll keep fighting our fight. Love is love, and we all need love in our life.