Oscar-winner Mo’Nique talks ‘I Do Marathon,’ changing hearts and minds

Mo’Nique is a mega multi-hyphenate. Oscar-winning actress—globetrotting comedian—bestselling author.

Now she can add one more role: ordained minister. Well, kind of. We’ll let her explain as she talks to GA Voice about hitting the gay clubs as a kid, why she enjoys officiating gay weddings, and Kacey and Chwanda’s “constant honeymoon.”

The Twitter conversation that led to Kacey Frierson and Chwanda Nixon lining up Oscar-winning actress and comedian Mo'Nique for their Iowa wedding.
The Twitter conversation that led to Kacey Frierson and Chwanda Nixon lining up Oscar-winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique for their Iowa wedding.

What first drove you to stand up for LGBT equality? You grew up with gay family members, right?
Yeah, I grew up with gay family members and also I was introduced to the community going to the clubs when I was like 16 years old. That community really embraced me. Honey, if you didn’t go to The Garage in New York, you didn’t even understand! Then Tiffany’s for breakfast when it was done. That’s far how back I go [laughs].

What happened behind the decision to get ordained?
I got ordained one night last year when I was onstage in the comedy clubs. There was a conversation between myself and the universe. I saw people who were in love and wanted to be together, so I asked everyone if I had the power to marry these beautiful people in front of me, and they said yes. Now, that only works in the clubs [laughs]. When they leave out of here, it might not get respected. But in the club it’s respected.

What do you enjoy about officiating gay weddings?
It’s a freedom. I enjoy watching people be free. And I enjoy watching people appreciate each other because the crowds are very diverse in race, religion and age. When you see these people up on stage and they truly love each other, it makes you think, “What is it about these people that they don’t deserve love like everybody else?” And you see people change their hearts right in front of you.

You didn’t hesitate to accept Kacey and Chwanda’s Twitter request to officiate their wedding in Iowa. What do you think about the I Do Marathon?
I think it is amazing. How beautiful is that? They’re on a constant honeymoon!

psaunders@thegavoice.com | @patricksaunders