Finally.
6.17.2008 by words and steel
Hello, friends. I just returned from spending the afternoon at the San Diego County Clerk's Office, where I and some friends from the Hillcrest LGBT Center were witness to the first legal same sex marriages here in the city.
Isn't love beautiful?
As a queer-identified woman getting married to a wonderful Boy, I've often felt conflicted about reaping the privileges of the institution of marriage that many of my queer friends in same-sex relationships could not. While the recent CA Supreme Court ruling is only the first step, and there is still much work to do to keep the amendment banning same-sex marriage from passing this November, I am still so amazed and overjoyed that at least for these couples, legal marriage is no longer a dream, but a reality.
The first weddings started at 7AM, with Bob Lehman and Tom Felkner as the first couple in the county to wed. I heard from volunteers who had been there all day that there was a rush in the morning until about 10-11AM, and by the time I arrived around 2PM, it was much calmer and quieter.
Overall, the vibe was so relaxed and peaceful. Couples were able to marry outside on several different areas on the grounds:
And volunteers cheered and passed out roses to couples that entered who were getting marriage licenses or getting married that day:
Thankfully, there were minimal protesters or disturbances, although when I was there we were treated to one man with a large sign blathering on about God's principles, etc. (Again, not to knock all people of the Christian faith- we're getting married in an Episcopal Church, remember- but I am so tired of people pulling out arguments that are a matter of interpretation, not fact, and which have been debunked by many leading biblical scholars.)
I am so proud of California for finally doing the right thing, and really hope the voters agree that this is the best thing for everyone come November. And though I don't reasonably expect a national change by the time we are married in December, I am comforted knowing that for thousands of other queer couples, their day in the sun (and lifetime of love and rights) is guaranteed too.
I try to keep from proselytizing on this blog too much (yeah.. right!), but if you're a California resident, please vote against the proposed amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. If you're not, please be an ally and get the word out to your California connections. More information on how to get involved is here, here, and here.
And now, pictures from this momentous day! Yay!
Isn't love beautiful?
As a queer-identified woman getting married to a wonderful Boy, I've often felt conflicted about reaping the privileges of the institution of marriage that many of my queer friends in same-sex relationships could not. While the recent CA Supreme Court ruling is only the first step, and there is still much work to do to keep the amendment banning same-sex marriage from passing this November, I am still so amazed and overjoyed that at least for these couples, legal marriage is no longer a dream, but a reality.
The first weddings started at 7AM, with Bob Lehman and Tom Felkner as the first couple in the county to wed. I heard from volunteers who had been there all day that there was a rush in the morning until about 10-11AM, and by the time I arrived around 2PM, it was much calmer and quieter.
Overall, the vibe was so relaxed and peaceful. Couples were able to marry outside on several different areas on the grounds:
And volunteers cheered and passed out roses to couples that entered who were getting marriage licenses or getting married that day:
Thankfully, there were minimal protesters or disturbances, although when I was there we were treated to one man with a large sign blathering on about God's principles, etc. (Again, not to knock all people of the Christian faith- we're getting married in an Episcopal Church, remember- but I am so tired of people pulling out arguments that are a matter of interpretation, not fact, and which have been debunked by many leading biblical scholars.)
I am so proud of California for finally doing the right thing, and really hope the voters agree that this is the best thing for everyone come November. And though I don't reasonably expect a national change by the time we are married in December, I am comforted knowing that for thousands of other queer couples, their day in the sun (and lifetime of love and rights) is guaranteed too.
I try to keep from proselytizing on this blog too much (yeah.. right!), but if you're a California resident, please vote against the proposed amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. If you're not, please be an ally and get the word out to your California connections. More information on how to get involved is here, here, and here.
And now, pictures from this momentous day! Yay!
Posts
Woo hoo! Thank you for this post and for calling me so that I could here some cheers!!!
of course I had to call you! Only wish you could have joined me there!
ps- the couple in the matching suits are the ones you heard people cheering for on the phone!
Which ones? My post or yours?
mine of course! weren't your photos from SF?
no, my two ladies with triplets are from san diego :)
Yay California!!! Sadly, I'm afraid that Kansas will probably be one of the last states to follow suit. Beautiful pictures!
Iiiiiiiinteresting: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080619-9999-1m19clerk.html
I like how this issue didn't come up in OC, of all places, but seems like a big deal in SD.