Television producers Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett were one of the lucky 33 couples married by Queen Latifah during Sunday's historic Grammys ceremony as hit single "Same Love" was performed by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, out singer-songwriter Mary Lambert and Trombone Shorty. Madonna joined the performance with her song "Open Your Heart." The couple now share the last name "Gossfield."
The Gossfields are no stranger to having their relationship in the spotlight. Last year, they were named one of BET's Most Famous LGBT Celebrity Couples and have long worked together on creative projects at their award-winning production company 2 Cents Productions. Their groundbreaking series The DL Chronicles about gay or bisexual men of color who hide their sexual orientation from loved ones received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Anthology at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
"When such a critically acclaimed and popular rap artist puts marriage equality center stage at one of the biggest events of the year, it is the latest in a long line of signs that our nation not only accepts, but celebrates the love and commitment of gay couples today," said GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis to The Hollywood Reporter. "Macklemore and Ryan Lewis aren't only talented musicians, but are setting the bar high for our allies around the country today."
Watch the video of the Grammys' weddings below and read on to see what Quincy and Deondray had to say about the experience. Congratulations to the newlyweds!
GLAAD: How did you end up becoming one of the couple's taking part in the Grammy ceremony?
DEONDRAY GOSSFIELD: We were recommended to casting by a mutual friend who was asked if he knew of any committed couples of color who could be ready for marriage.
GLAAD: We saw the ceremony live, but what was the rest of the day like? Was it hard to keep it a secret from friends and family?
QUINCY GOSSFIELD: The day was certainly a long and nail biting day. We were brought into a large holding tent, draped and covered in red velvet, where all the couples would lounge for the remainder of the day. It gave us an opportunity to meet and mingle with the people we would be sharing this experience with, from all walks of life. We were met with champagne to toast one another and to take the edge off. However, the drinks were short lived to prevent indulging a little too much prior to our nuptials. Everyone from the staff to production of the Grammys were so warm and encouraging. In most cases they were more excited than us to witness this statement of love. I believe there was a general feeling that we were all a part of making history.
DG: The secret was almost impossible to keep, but we navigated fairly well. Quincy was so eager to let everyone know the news to ensure that they would watch. I was more for the element of surprise. I didn't want anyone to know until it was actually playing live on TV, so we just started telling people that we were producing a segment for Macklemore, which wasn't at all farfetched since we're TV producers. Well, a leak from the New York press foiled all of that and the producers told us about four hours prior to the show that we could start announcing it. I started to get tagged on IG and FB and quickly called my sister to tell her to keep my mom off the computer. It didn't work…
GLAAD: What were you feeling when the "Same Love" performance was going on and Queen Latifah was officiating the ceremony?
QG: If I could allow the world to see what I saw through my eyes, they would understand the wellspring of love we were surrounded by and filled with in that moment. The Staples Center is a gigantic arena and it was filled to the ceilings with people of all ages, races, and genders. The moment we began our wedding march down the aisles, the audience was taken by surprise, but the sheer joy of the moment brought them to their feet. To walk through a sea of people, simply beautiful people, celebrating love, you felt welcomed and embraced and celebrated. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring.
As I looked into the eyes of my partner of 18 years, I could only think about the life that we have spent together and the love that has held us together being cheered by people who know that there is only one love - not gay love or straight love, just LOVE. Behind me stood Katy Perry who met eyes with Deondray and began to cry. Behind Deondray was Paul McCartney who placed his hand over his heart and bowed to me. This was all happening while the edict of Queen Latifah narrated the moment, pronouncing us Married Couples. That's when the floodgates opened for us. The whole moment was surreal and beyond explanation.
DG: I was completely beside myself. The room was filled with an energy that I can't quite explain. I saw tears from people in the audience. I saw celebrities taking pictures of US. That was bananas. Katy Perry eyed me the entire time with tear-filled eyes. Neil Patrick Harris nodded at me in adulation. It was just one of the single most incredible moments of my life.
GLAAD: What message do you hope viewers took away from seeing such a moment like this on live television?
DG: It's my biggest hope that people come away from this with a renewed understanding that love has no monopoly. It's colorless, gender non-specific, and fluid.
QG: I want the viewers to leave witnessing what it feels like and what it looks like to simply love, regardless of our packaging. The divorce rates of straight marriages didn't suddenly increase, nor did the world end, in fact quite the opposite, people were encouraged and left feeling a part of change.
GLAAD: You recently completed a full season of YouTube series The Chadwick Journals about a writer and his subject living double lives. You're currently running a GoFundMe campaign to create new episodes of The DL Chronicles after fully fan funding one return episode already. Any updates on these or other upcoming projects?
QG: Since we are no longer represented by a network, we were able to independently fund the latest installment of the GLAAD Media Award winning film anthology, now known as The DL Chronicles RETURNS. The latest film, Episode Thomas, had a successful run last year in the festival circuit and we are planning to release it online ON DEMAND in February. However, we continue to seek investors and funding for the remaining episodes of what is to become a full season. Since our departure from our network, the series began to build a new and hungry audience living online. Whereas, most cancelled series fade, our fan base increased. Hopefully the reintroduction of the series will find a new network home on cable, VOD, or online. We're excited to venture into the realm of premium content delivered directly to your computers, smart phones and web enabled devices.