On one of those early spring New York evenings when the city feels alive with possibility, a small group gathered in an uptown church to celebrate what is still impossible.

In a commitment ceremony in April sponsored by Love and Pride jewelry, the first major collection of wedding bands and engagement rings designed specifically for same-sex couples, four couples exchanged vows and rings at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan. While the vows aren’t legally binding in New York, the couples’ families and friends cheered and grew teary-eyed as the stories—and challenges—of each couple were recited. Each received a Love and Pride ring designed by New York designer Udi Behr.

Behr, perhaps best known for his Love Peace & Hope line designed in response to Sept. 11, 2001, created the new Love and Pride collection in response to the ongoing political debate about same-sex marriages. Behr told the crowd at

St. Bartholomew’s that he was moved by Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco, who stood up for same-sex marriage in spite of political pressures last year.

Love and Pride is donating 10 percent of total sales to Marriage Equality, one of the nation’s leading nonprofits working to win the right to marry for same-sex couples.