Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts Become the First Same-Sex Couple to Grace the Cover of Essence

Finally, something wonderful to celebrate during Black History Month: Niecy Nash and her wife Jessica Betts became the first queer couple to be on the cover of Essence magazine. Black queer excellence.

In the pages of the magazine, the couple talks about their sudden, intense love, which ended up in marriage just eight months after Nash divorced from her previous husband. Because Nash has previously been married to men, the relationship was a surprise, but she says that her attraction to people was never about gender.

“The least of my attraction is gender,” says Nash. “What I was and am still attracted to is Jessica’s soul. She was the most beautiful soul I had ever met in my life. Now that I’ve experienced it, I can’t imagine going through life without it.” Jessica feels the same way, which is why we are saying “queer” and not any more specific labels, for those who feel passionate about those.

Essence’s profile feels like something out of an excellent romcom. The couple seems at ease with each other and sharing in a “first love” type giddiness that is very beautiful to share.

When Niecy declares she’s the happiest she’s ever been, I ask what it is about Jessica that does it for her. Jess truly sees her, she responds. I ask her to clarify, because I’ve heard that sentiment before, but I don’t really know what it means. “It’s to be accepted for the truth of who you are, all the way around, good, bad or indifferent,” she explains. “It’s where someone sees your past, your pain, your bullet holes, your stab wounds, whatever you got in a bag over your shoulder when you show up, and they say, ‘I see it all, and I still love and receive you.’ I feel like the love that I receive from her is custom, as opposed to off the rack,” Niecy adds. “I feel like the assignment happened in the spirit realm before we ever knew about it.”

My heart feels full seeing this because Essence is the biggest Black American female magazine in circulation today. Seeing them celebrate two women in love feels good, especially since it is going into the hands of many who might not always be exposed to it. The joy of their love is very cute, and I’m glad that they feel so happy with each other. Featuring it is also a great way of showing that you are never too old or too late to find a lasting love.

(via Essence, image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/FilmMagic)