the issue:
The Court Clerk
Refused to Do Her Job
DETAILS PLANNING DIARIES
(continued from page 181 )BEAUTY FITNESS
HOW TO HAVE A HAPPY HONEYMOON
Do your research. If you’re going abroad and you’re unfamiliar with local attitudes
toward same-sex couples, make sure you read up before getting your heart set
on going there. Kathryn Hamm of GayWeddings.com recommends a visit to the Web
sites for Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org) and OutRight Action International
(outrightinternational.org). “Both offer the latest news regarding LGBTQ rights
around the world,” she says. “And check reviews from LGBTQ couples! Don’t let
a great advertising campaign convince you you’ll have a comfortable and safe stay.”
Seek out an expert. The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s Web site
(iglta.org) includes listings of gay-friendly travel professionals, tours, and properties.
“Rather than relying on booking sites, talk to a travel agent who knows the places well,”
says David Rubin, a luxury-travel specialist. “She can leverage her relationships with
suppliers and hoteliers to ensure your honeymoon goes smoothly.”
Be transparent. “Whether you’re working with a travel advisor or directly with a hotel,
speak to management and explain that you’re a gay couple and it’s your destination
wedding or honeymoon,” says Rubin. “Spell out what type of experience you’d like to
have so they can give you a heads-up that a property might not be best.”HOW TO FIGHT CITY HALL
If you head to the DMV or another government agency for official paperwork with your
new married name and the person behind the desk is resistant, first take a deep breath.
Then go over her head. “It may be a simple matter of a particular clerk not understand-
ing her or his obligations,” says Camilla Taylor, former director of the Marriage Project
for Lambda Legal, dedicated to protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community. “Ask to
speak with the supervisor. If she doesn’t solve the problem, contact the Lambda Legal
help desk,” which can file a challenge on your behalf (lambdalegal.org). Try patience,
and if that doesn’t work, the threat of a lawsuit often will.E
ver y thing about the wedding of Shawnte and Tavia Craig-Jackson went
smoothly, aside from the driving rain that forced them to move their backyard
jazz-themed ceremony under a tent and the reception indoors. But when the
couple relocated from District Heights, Mar yland, where they wed, to a small town in
Georgia, they ran into problems. “We didn’t experience bigotr y from a government
perspective until we moved,” says Shawnte (at right), 35. The couple had decided to
hyphenate their names. “I went to change my driver’s license, and the clerk at the
DMV refused,” says Tavia, 43. Even though the couple had brought along their
marriage license, “the clerk insisted that in the state of Georgia, we needed to present
the application for the license,” Tavia recalls. This set off a 10-minute debate between
the clerk and her higher-up.
“We were probably the first
gay couple they’d dealt with
since the Supreme Court
decision,” says Shawnte. Adds
Tavia, “I’m from Los Angeles.
We don’t have this kind of
problem; it’s the capital of ‘do
what you want to do.’ ” In the
end, the super visor ordered
the name change and the
couple got what they wanted:
“My driver’s license reads
Shawnte Craig-Jackson.” —S.B.(continued from page 142 )THE RESULTS A toned upper half.
“I have baby biceps!” enthuses our
tester, who lost four pounds. But
it’s not just the physical benefits
she loved: “Wedding planning is
stressful. And there is no better
way to destress than laying into
that heavy bag.”
CALORIES BURNED Up to 1,000
per class.
PRICE PER CLASS $79 to $169,
depending upon location.
titleboxingclub.com.[FOR CARDIO AND
A CONFIDENCE BOOST]VIXEN WORKOUT
THE WORKOUT Hip-hop dancing! For
60 minutes (or 90 on Saturdays), an
instructor leads a choreographed
class to the latest Beyoncé and Bie-
ber songs. (There’s even a strobe-
light situation to set the mood.)
“You’re empowered to dance like
you’re on a stage, no matter your
skill,” our tester says. “Their motto is
‘When in doubt, twerk it out.’ ”
THE RESULTS A dropped pound or
two and an awesome attitude
adjustment. “Nonstop dancing
really makes you sweat,” our tester
says. “And I walked out of class with
swagger. It’s not get-a-rock-hard-
body exercise, but it’s great cardio.”
CALORIES BURNED 500 for newbies
per class; 1,000 for veterans.
PRICE PER CLASS $15 –$18, d e p e n d i n g
upon location. vixenworkout.com.[FOR #LEGSFORDAYS]FLYWHEEL
THE WORKOUT Cycling for 45 min-
utes, including three minutes with
weights. A computer screen on your
bike reveals your reps per minute
and gives you a class ranking. Don’t
worry; it’s anonymous. (And our
first-timer was “so thankful for that.”)
Bonus: At the end of each session,
you can check the FlyWheel app to
see the calories you burned, the
distance you cycled, and your rank
among all classes that took place at
the same time in your city.
THE RESULTS Our tester was pleased
to report on her toned thighs, butt,
and legs but was surprised that her
stomach was more defined. “The
instructors say, ‘Scoop your abs in,’
and it makes a difference,” she says.
CALORIES BURNED 500 to 800
per class.
PRICE PER CLASS $20–$34, depend-
ing upon location. flywheel
sports.com.248 JUNE/JULY 2016ASHLEE NIKOLE PHOTOGRAPHY