Marriage Matters: Sharing Our Stories

Amorie Robinson and Hattie Alexander-Robinson have been together for six years. Amorie is a clinical psychologist and is a therapist for the County juvenile court. She is also a guest lecturer at University of Michigan in women's, multicultural and LGBT studies. Hattie is a licensed practical nurse and works at a rehab facility. She is also a reverend and pastor of New Birth Church in Detroit.

Hattie had surgery in February 2006 for a urological issue. In pre-op, before going under she made clear to her nurses and doctor that she wanted them to inform Amorie of everything, because she would not be lucid enough to remember any instructions. She also made clear that Amorie was waiting for her. The hospital staff disregarded the fact Amorie was there, not even telling her that Hattie's surgery was done. When Hattie was in recovery, a nurse asked her if she had a ride home. That's when Hattie realized no one had followed her wishes to keep Amorie informed. They are both still very upset about this incident as it just happened a few weeks ago.

Both families are supportive. Amorie's parents are nearly 80 and her dad even brags that his church (Unitarian) is accepting to LGBT people. Everyone in Hattie's family is a minister, but they don't disrespect Hattie. "We haven't had any blow up. We spend time together at holidays and family reunions. Amorie is there and there is no confrontation. We agree to disagree," Hattie says.

Both Hattie and Amorie are leaders in their respective churches. They attend different churches because they were already heavily involved in different denominations before they met. "Our churches are like the difference between Catholic and Baptists, but they both support LGBT," Amorie says. "I've come to terms with the fact that Jesus said anyone who comes to me, I won't cast them out. I was created in the image of God. I am filled with His spirit and it is my destiny to spread it," Hattie says.

As Amorie and Hattie get older, they want to create safe spaces for gay seniors, such as group homes so gay partners won't have to be separated.

Read through other families' stories here:

• Carmen and Anisia Machado
• Denise and Treeva Liggett-Creek
• Shelley Hayes and Mary Horvath
• Terri Miller and Cindy Simms
• Mark McKinney and Steve Lepre
• Jennifer Lin and Jeanne Fong
• Lori and Cin Diné
• Gita Deane and Lisa Polyak
• Nigel Simon and Alvin Williams
• Jo Rabb and Takia Foskey
• Lisa Laurey and Toni Williamson
• Richard Phelps and Mitchell Wood
• Desiree Leone and Carolee Stoll
• Barry Clayton and Michael Garaza
• Stephanie Furness and Shannon Kearns
• Charles Blackburn and Glen Dehn
• Delia Meraz and Persephone Gonzalez
• Amorie Robinson and Hattie Alexander-Robinson