LGBTQ+ community express concerns following Election Day, takes action in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - As people across the country and in the state of Indiana prepare for new leadership some are feeling post-election anxiety.

For instance, several members of the LGBTQ+ community have told 21Alive News they are worried about the future of same-sex marriage.

That has led Fort Wayne advocate, Branden "Della Licious" Blaettner to hold an event this weekend to marry same-sex couples who say they are worried about losing their right to marry.

"I enjoy celebrating people who want to be together," Branden "Della Licious" Blaettner said. "I love love."

For years, Blaettner or "Della Licious" under his drag persona, has found joy in marrying people in love.

Over the years he says he's found an increase in marriage requests during historical milestones including the lifting of the ban on same-sex marriage by the Supreme Court and the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

"Mr. Rodgers always said in times of crisis look for the helpers and I've always tried to be a helper," Blaettner said. "Damn it, I'm going to be a helper to my community."

He says that's part of the reason he's planning a free event to help same-sex couples get married this weekend.

With the recent election, he says there is a growing fear in the LGBTQ+ community that they might lose their right to marry.

"If I'm overreacting that's fine," Blaettner said. "But I'd rather overreact then under react and see these loving couples not be able to celebrate legally."

The unknown future is why allies like Rev. Carrie Winebrenner with the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne are seeing an increase in community members reach out.

"I think there's a lot of anixety because we just don't know," Rev. Carrie Winebrenner said. "If they (politicians) threaten to reserve all of these laws and civil liberties then we need to take them at their face value. If they gave us the information, we need to believe them."

21Alive reached out to several newly elected Republican officials. Their offices told us this topic is "not on their radar right now."

We asked Governor-Elect Mike Braun if he supports any policies that would alter or change same-sex marriage in the future. His answer was simple, "no" and sent a link of his agenda.

Naomi Goldberg an executive director with the Movement Advancement Project says there is a reason people are concerned.

"There is reason for concerns with things that were said on the campaign trial," Naomi Goldberg said. "In the 2022 ruling overturning Roe there were some footnotes and mentions on which the foundation of the right to marry sit, but right now that right is still secure."

Goldberg says worries that if an increasingly conservative Supreme Court overturned the ruling that allowed for gay marriage, marriage bans in 32 states could be enforced. But she says there is reason for hope.

"More people believe in us and believe that we should be treated fairly then don't and there will be hard work ahead," Goldberg said. "I also think we have to remember there's a process for laws to change and that we get to be apart of that."

Blaettner says while he waits to see what the future holds, he plans to celebrate love as much as possible.

"This is your time," Blaettner said. "Get married now and celebrate (with a party) later. I'm just trying to do my part to help and do something I can do."

The free marriage celebration will take place Saturday, at the After Dark Nightclub starting around 9 p.m. and last until 2 a.m. Blaettner says to bring your marriage license, and he will marry you before, during, after his performance.

If you can't make the event, Blaettner says to reach out and he will work with you and your future spouse.