Kourtney
Jason and the rest of the Goldfinches have a press conference today.
They opted to hold it outside the Hudson Pride Center—an LGBTQ+ social services center—right on John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Celeste set the whole thing up, her first official event as the team’s new PR manager.
She preferred manager over agent, of course.
She’s been running interference for the team since our news came out and spinning every awful thing people said about us into a positive light. She’s in her element, working under pressure and dealing with the media. It’s incredible to watch.
Throngs of people crowd the street in support, bundled up in scarves and gloves after the first snowfall of the new year. They hold rainbow-colored signs and cheer for each of the players as they get out of their SUVs and take their place at the podium.
There are people shouting obscenities at them too, of course. But the security team is in place, keeping them at a safe distance so they don’t put a damper on today’s message.
The crowd goes wild as my husband steps up to the microphone first. His green eyes find mine, and he reaches out his hands, gesturing for Celeste and I to stand beside him.
“This wasn’t part of the plan,” Celeste whispers as a police officer helps us weave through the street.
“I think he’s nervous,” I whisper back.
When we reach Jason, he laces his fingers with ours, each of us on either side of him. His chin lifts, his chest puffs out, and he stands a little taller with us by his side.
“I want to thank everyone for being here with us today and for the incredible outpouring of support we’ve received since the news about the three of us came out.
” Jason clears his throat. “I didn’t think twice about falling in love with two women, the same way I didn’t think it had the potential to kick me off my team.
My heart and mind are open to love of all kinds, regardless of what it looks like.
I feel the same way about hockey. Athletes should be diverse.
That’s what makes sports so amazing. Different people from all walks of life show up with the most incredible talent and give it their all.
Gender shouldn’t matter. Race shouldn’t matter.
Sexual orientation shouldn’t matter. What matters is that we get to play the sport we were born to play.
“I’m the luckiest man alive, and not because of some sexist, misogynistic belief over the fact that I get to have two women at once.
I love Kourtney and Celeste because they’re the most loving, caring, smart, beautiful souls I’ve ever known—and that’s what makes me lucky.
I would’ve fallen for them regardless of the bodies they were in, or the genders they identify with, because that’s what true love is all about.
Love is the connection, not the gender.”
Everyone cheers, and as I gaze out among the people standing before us, it hits me.
I’m standing here as a bisexual woman in front of camera crews and reporters and cell phones recording this for the world to see.
I’m standing here, proud to be in a relationship with Jason and Celeste.
I’m standing here as my true self for the first time in my life.
And I don’t feel scared or ashamed of what the world is going to think, because there’s a place for me in this community. Regardless of all the hateful bigots, of all the people who will judge me or misunderstand me, I’m choosing to focus on the people who support me.
People like Erika, who’s beaming up at me in the front row right now, and Jason’s teammates standing behind us.
Maybe my parents will never come around. Maybe I’ve lost them for good. And that deeply saddens me. But I choose to surround myself with the people who love me unconditionally.
Life is about choices.
We can choose to open our minds and educate ourselves...or we can choose to stay rooted in the beliefs we’ve been fed all our lives. And that choice isn’t always easy to make. But if we fight hard enough, we can make a change for the better.
And that’s what today’s press conference is about.
Jason delivers an incredible speech from his heart, and several other athletes take the podium after him. I expected the outpouring of love and support for these superstars.
What I didn’t expect was the love and support for me.
Women of all ages line up along the sidewalk to talk to me, congratulating me and thanking me, as well as asking questions about my relationship with Jason and Celeste.
“Hi, my name is Dominique.” A woman who looks to be in her twenties reaches out to shake my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dominique.” I squeeze her hand and smile. “Thank you for being here today.”
“I’ve been having such a difficult time coming to terms with what I’m looking for in a partner.
Dating apps ask if you’re looking for males or females, and I honestly don’t know.
One person for the rest of my life feels so constricting.
And whenever I think about choosing one over the other, I can’t help but think, Why?
Why do I have to choose? Why are we limiting ourselves to one person for eternity?
” She gestures to me. “Then I see someone like you, and I feel hopeful that maybe I can find more than one person to spend my life with. Maybe I’m not so crazy after all. ”
“You’re not crazy.” I shake my head. “Go after what you want. You’re not alone. There are other people out there who think the way you do.”
Another woman behind Dominique leans forward to enter our conversation.
“It’s incredible to see you ladies embracing your sexuality.
There’s always a double standard. It’s acceptable for a man to have as many women as he wants, but it’s not as acceptable for a woman to choose as many partners as she wants.
” Her top lip curls. “It’s unfair, and it’s pig-headed.
We can be just as sexual as men, and there’s nothing wrong with that. ”
Celeste raises her hands above her head. “Amen to that.”
It’s a whirlwind of a day, and the three of us are exhausted by the time we get home.
“I’m going to spend an hour in that shower warming up,” I say as we step off the elevator on our floor. “I can’t feel my toes. I wonder if—”
My words are cut off as my eyes land on the person standing by my front door.
“Mom.” The word leaves me in a rush. “What are you doing here?”
She shrugs like she isn’t sure herself. “I watched the press conference on TV.”
“You did?”
She nods. “Celeste called me this morning to tell me about it.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat, glancing at Celeste. “Why?”
Celeste laces her fingers with mine, tugging me the rest of the way toward my mother. “I thought she’d be happy to see how many people were out there supporting her daughter.”
“I was, Kourtney. It was wonderful to see people standing with you like that.” Mom swipes a tear forming at the corner of her eye. “I want...I want to stand with you too.”
Disbelief keeps me from throwing my arms around her. “What about everything Dad said?”
“Dad will need more time to come around. But I’m not here for him. I’m here for you.” Her eyes bounce between Celeste and Jason. “For all of you.”
My heart twists inside my chest as tears brim over my lids. “I don’t want you to fight with him. Won’t he be upset with you?”
“Don’t worry about your father and me. I told him where I stand, and he’s well aware that he can’t change my mind.” My mother chokes back a sob. “You are my baby girl, and I will always stand with you no matter what. I’m sorry it took me so long to come and tell you that.”
I fling myself at my mother and wrap my arms around her in a tight embrace. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.”
Jason unlocks the front door for us, and we all step inside, shedding our coats and boots. He busies himself in the kitchen, boiling water for tea, while I take a seat between Celeste and my mother at the table.
“I’m sorry your father reacted the way he did.” Mom heaves a sigh. “I know it doesn’t mean as much coming from me, but I need to say it nonetheless.”
“I understand that it’s a shocking thing to hear.” I hike a shoulder and glance around the room. “Our relationship isn’t the norm, and it goes against the monogamous life we’ve all been bred to follow.”
“It was definitely a shock.” Mom huffs out a laugh. “But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. You have two people who love you more than anything in this world. I can’t allow myself to believe that that’s bad.”
She slides her arm across the table and covers Celeste’s hand. “I’ve loved you like a second daughter since you were fourteen years old. That’s not going to change now.”
Celeste blinks back the tears shimmering in her eyes. “You were there for me more than my own mother was. I’ve loved being a part of your family, but I don’t want to cause a wedge between everyone. I don’t want to be the reason—”
“You’re not the reason,” Mom says, cutting her off. “The only thing that breaks up a family is the people inside it who let it get broken up. And that’s not going to happen here.”
We’re quiet, letting that thought sink in.
Jason sets three mugs in front of us, and then he leans against the counter, blowing on his own mug.
Mom lifts Celeste’s hand, letting her rings sparkle under the light. “You should have a wedding.”
My eyebrows lift. “There isn’t a state in the country that would legally marry us.”
“You don’t need the state to officiate it. You can still have a ceremony, and pledge your love to one another.” Mom smiles. “Love is always cause for a celebration.”
A wedding.
Celeste and me in white dresses, standing with Jason in a tux, reciting our vows of undying love to each other.
Warmth spreads throughout my body, sparking anticipation and excitement in my veins.
Only to have it crashing down at the thought of my father refusing to walk me down the aisle like he did once before.
But that’s the stereotypical wedding that’s been fed to us since we were children. Maybe our wedding doesn’t have to look anything like that. Maybe it’s time I stop looking at everything like that.
I flick my eyes up to Jason and then to Celeste, ideas already forming in my mind. “Let’s do it.”