If you followed the headlines around the anti-LGBT marriage amendment debate in Wisconsin last year you would certainly have heard the powerful story of Richard & Ray. Richard Taylor and Ray Vahey became influential spokepeople against the ban by telling their story of 50 years of love.

Their story was written about in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Progressive, Milwaukee's Shepherd-Express, and many other publications. After decades of hiding their relationship they came out - and boy did they come out. The headlined PrideFest, they spoke at house party fundraisers to defeat the amendment, they wore buttons, and up to the day that he died Richard Taylor educated nurses, doctors, and anyone he talked with about the harm the amendment would deal to LGBT and allied people. Richard Taylor died after a long battle with cancer on July 28, 2006.

A wedding ceremony was scheduled for September 16th to celebrate Richard & Ray's 50 Years of Love. The event continued as a tribute to Richard Taylor and became a fundraiser for the Fair Wisconsin campaign. The dedication video that a local videographer made for the event can be seen here.

After being served devastating losses (Wisconsin lost 59% to 41% - despite raising $5.5 million and running the largest campaign) instead of getting some rest Ray became a full-time activist and fundraiser. He has become so inspired that he recently decided to get arrested practicing civil disobedience with Soulforce. Check out the video here to see Ray proudly being taken away by local law enforcement. (Ray's the guy wearing the yellow windbreaker!) Go Ray, Go!

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Death Parts couple after 49 years [via Towleroad]