Black Gay Couples Say 'I Do' Slowly

On Monday at 5:01 p.m., California became only the second state to issue same-sex marriage licenses to lesbian and gay couples. This after the California Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples the opportunity to get married.

Of the couples that were chosen first, to get married were Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin of San Francisco, both women in their 80s who have been together for 55 years. They were married at 5:01 p.m. by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

At the same time in Los Angeles, Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, plaintiffs in a 2004 lawsuit that was consolidated with the San Francisco lawsuit that led to the state Supreme Court ruling, were married in front of the Beverly Hills courthouse. The couple, who has been together for 15 years and are longtime gay activists were issued their license early ahead of any other couple.

Both lesbian couples are White.

As of Sentinel press time, there were no Black same-sex couples available for comments that were planning on getting married Tuesday.

Since same-sex marriages have become legal in California, mainstream media reports have largely focused in on two cities, San Francisco and West Hollywood.

While Los Angeles is home to a plethora of lesbian and gay couples of African descent, very few have taken the opportunity to go to city hall and get married.

Read More