When Brian Sims proposed to his now-husband Alex Drakos in 2023, the couple had planned to marry in September 2025. However, by June 2024, a shifting political landscape forced them to reconsider their timeline. The catalyst was President Joe Biden’s faltering performance in the presidential debate against former President Donald Trump, which left the nation with more questions than answers about the future of LGBTQ+ rights.
“The day after the disastrous debate, we had a serious conversation about what we would do if Trump won again,” Drakos recalls speaking to OUT. “We feared that many of the LGBTQ+ rights we hold dear, including marriage equality, could be rolled back under a second Trump administration.”
The couple, both politically active and deeply committed to the LGBTQ+ community, had hoped for a secure future under Biden’s leadership, particularly after his historic 2020 victory and his nomination of Kamala Harris as Vice President. However, Trump’s eventual victory in the 2024 election prompted a reevaluation of their plans.
“After Election Day, we realized that if we wanted to get married before potential legal changes, we needed to act quickly,” Drakos says. “We decided, ‘Why wait? Let’s do it now.’” The support of both their families—who urged them to marry sooner rather than later—reinforced their decision.
The couple chose a modest but meaningful ceremony in Massachusetts, where their wedding took place on December 21, 2024, just days before Christmas. The location—Massachusetts State House—held special significance. In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage, years before the Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling in 2015. For Sims and Drakos, it was both a symbolic and strategic choice, as they feared the potential erosion of marriage equality.
“Massachusetts was a natural choice for us. It was a place where marriage equality began in the U.S., and we wanted our marriage to be protected in case of a reversal of those protections,” says Sims, a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and current CEO of Agenda PAC, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ political representation.
Brian Sims and Alex Drakos wed before Trump takes office. Photo: Ryan Stranz
The ceremony, officiated by Julian Cyr, an openly gay Massachusetts state senator, was intimate yet powerful. Only their immediate families were present as witnesses. Despite a snowstorm the previous day that delayed Sims’s parents’ flight, the couple says the event was deeply meaningful. “It was incredibly moving to have our families there,” says Drakos, who works for Pfizer and graduated from UC Berkeley. “It was a small, personal moment, but it felt monumental given everything that’s at stake right now.”
The ceremony itself took place in the State House, with the Boston skyline providing a stunning backdrop. Following the vows, the couple and their families gathered in a cozy antechamber, where a fireplace and a Christmas tree adorned the room. It was a quiet, beautiful moment, and afterward, the couple celebrated with champagne and a dinner in the city.
“It was one of the most special days of our lives,” Sims reflects. “What we didn’t expect was how meaningful it would feel to be surrounded by our parents in such a historic setting. It was more than we could have hoped for.”
Though they married in a small, private ceremony, Sims and Drakos still plan to host a larger celebration in September 2025 in Connecticut, Drakos’s home state. “We’ll have the big celebration with all our friends and family then,” Sims promises. “This was just the start.”
The couple has a message for other LGBTQ+ couples who may be uncertain about their futures. Given the growing political climate and fears of setbacks in LGBTQ+ rights, they encourage others to consider marrying now.
“Right now, the legal protections for LGBTQ+ couples are better than they might be in the future,” Sims warns. “We have hard-won rights that could be under threat, and if you’re thinking about marriage, don’t wait. Take advantage of the protections we still have while we fight to defend them.”
Sims and Drakos also emphasize the importance of planning for the future, especially for families with transgender children. “It’s not just about marriage. We encourage LGBTQ+ families to look at their financial and legal protections—wills, insurance, and other matters—to ensure they’re safeguarded,” Sims advises. “It’s a time to think ahead and make sure your rights are protected.”
In addition to legal protections, Sims and Drakos stress the need for continued activism. They urge allies to do more than just offer congratulations on social media. “Our marriage is under attack, and so is our very identity,” says Sims. “Supporting us means more than words—it means action. We need people to stand up and fight for our rights, not just celebrate our victories.”
With their intimate wedding as a backdrop, Sims and Drakos reflect on the importance of love, advocacy, and resilience in uncertain times. As they look ahead to their larger celebration and future together, their message is clear: now is the time for LGBTQ+ couples to act, protect their rights, and continue fighting for a more inclusive future.
