Two of the most well-loved wizards in literature got married Sunday, despite threats of protests from trolling neighbors.
Gandalf and Dumbledore, both portrayed by local actors, wed in a symbolic ceremony at the Equality House in Topeka, Kansas. The house, which is sponsored by a nonprofit called Planting Peace, is located directly across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church. Though members of the church had promised to protest, they did not show up at the ceremony.
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The ceremony, held on the front lawn of Equality House, drew a large crowd of supporters, many of whom were waving American flags.
Packed lawn @Equality_House for the Dumbledore/ Gandalf wedding. pic.twitter.com/bryrHbZnLa— Brooke Lennington (@BrookeKSNT) June 7, 2015
Dumbledore was the first to walk down the aisle, with music from the Harry Potter soundtrack playing, of course.
Dumbledor out first. #JKWedding pic.twitter.com/8K0pi6fMBJ— Brooke Lennington (@BrookeKSNT) June 7, 2015
The ceremony opened with a prayer, led by Planting Peace's director of operations, Davis Hammet, who presided over the ceremony:
May the love in our hearts always grow as we are united as one family beyond Muggle or magic, dwarf of elf. May our hearts and minds grow so that we may create a world where teens are not kicked out of their homes fro being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer, which is the case for nearly half of the homeless youth in the United States. May this fun symbolic rather silly wedding be a glimmer of hope towards a brighter tomorrow to come.
Following the ceremony, Gandalf also gave a speech in which he urged those in attendance to "never be afraid to celebrate your love."
Celebrate Love Even In The Face of Bigotry! #WizardWedding #JKWedding pic.twitter.com/GVHUmYCJLR— Equality House (@Equality_House) June 7, 2015
Although members of the Westboro Baptist Church didn't show up, the group did prepare signs for the occasion. Unsurprisingly, the always-trolling group did voice their disapproval of the wizarding union on Twitter, though the Equality House was quick to respond.
A LOT of people flocking to @Equality_House for the Dumbledore Gandalf wedding. We prepared our picket! pic.twitter.com/sVOevut7l3— WBCSays (@WBCsigns) June 7, 2015
.@Equality_House Not all cake is edible! Feast on THIS: pic.twitter.com/EXNdjoNrXv Digital cake is better for thighs #LetThemEatCake @brucesbeat— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSaysRepent) June 7, 2015
Sunday's ceremony came about after Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling tweeted a meme referencing a marriage between the two wizards. The Westboro Baptist Church later responded and said it would picket such an event, to which Rowling, who has been a vocal supporter of the LGBT community, responded, "the sheer awesomeness of such a union in such a place would blow your tiny bigoted minds out of your thick sloping skulls."
The Newlyweds #WizardWedding #JKWedding A photo posted by Equality House (@equality_house) on Jun 7, 2015 at 12:43pm PDT