A couple will marry 24 times to celebrate same-sex marriage
A lesbian couple has said they will marry 24 times around the world in order to celebrate same-sex marriage.
The two artists, Julian P Boom, 39 and Fleur Pierets, 44, are a real-life couple.
They married in New York in September, and have said they will marry in another 23 countries where same-sex marriage is legal.
After New York, the couple also went to Antwerp, and Amsterdam, and next month will be married in Paris.
The head of the Paris gender office, Helene Bidard, has said she will marry the couple in Paris.
Boom and Pierets have planned a documentary around the project and a photo exhibition, as well as a book.
Named Project 22, the couple say they have already found widespread support.
“We have tried to make it very inclusive. We talked about how we can raise awareness on this subject matter and make it very positive. So instead of complaining about 170 countries where you cannot get married, let’s celebrate 24” nations where gay marriage is legal, said Pierets to France 24.
Since the project launched, two other countries, Germany and Malta, have legalised same-sex marriage.
But the couple say they are “kind of making a time capsule in which you can see that things can actually change for the better.”
“It would be great in two years, to have an exhibition called 22 and have 26 or 27 countries that would be amazing,” adds Pierets.
The couple’s New York marriage will be the legally binding one.
And because the others will not be legally binding ceremonies in other countries, officials have reached out to offer support.
“We really, really wanted to do this project,” continued Pierets.
“So we sold everything, not that we had so much. So now we are travelling with just one suitcase.”
The couple say the project will take around two years.
They have enough funds to get them through their fifth and sixth wedding in Portugal, Spain and Luxembourg.
They will also travel to Britain, and are being put up by friends in various cities.
Although the weddings are part of the art project, the couple say they have been surprisingly emotional, which they weren’t prepared for.
“In Amsterdam, we had tears in our eyes it was so unexpected,” said Pierets.
“I think we are both suckers for romance.”
