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Gay Marriage In San Francisco
San Francisco on Thursday became the only government entity in the United States to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. City officials followed a directive set in motion by Mayor Gavin Newsom. By the end of Thursday, 15 same-sex couples had been wed.
Longtime lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon, 79, and Del Martin, 83, were married just before noon by city assessor Mabel Teng in a closed-door civil ceremony at City Hall, mayor's spokesman Peter Ragone said. The two have been a couple for 51 years. Martin and Lyon met in Seattle in 1950 and began dating in 1952. They moved to San Francisco in 1953. The two women founded the Daughters of Bilitis, the first national lesbian rights organization. "Phyllis and I demonstrated our commitment to one another more than half a century ago," said Martin. "Today San Francisco has demonstrated its commitment to us through equality and fairness."
It remains unclear what practical value their marriage license will have, but the symbolism was self-evident on a day when lawmakers in Massachusetts were debating a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. The couple said they were going home to rest and didn't plan anything to celebrate. Still, it was a profound moment for the pair, veterans of decades of gay rights struggles.
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http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?id=11304&sd=02/13/04
It remains unclear what practical value their marriage license will have, but the symbolism was self-evident on a day when lawmakers in Massachusetts were debating a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage. The couple said they were going home to rest and didn't plan anything to celebrate. Still, it was a profound moment for the pair, veterans of decades of gay rights struggles.
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http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?id=11304&sd=02/13/04
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Hundreds of gay couples have been racing to get married in San Francisco after the city's mayor lifted a state ban on same-sex marriage.
Mayor Gavin Newsome took the decision on the grounds that the ban was a form of discrimination.
The move has immediately been denounced by anti-gay-groups, who are vowing to fight it in the courts.
No US state allows same-sex marriage, however, San Francisco has long been a pioneer in gay rights legislation.
The mayor's decision puts officials centre stage in an intensifying national debate over same-sex marriage, the BBC's David Willis in California says.
President Bush is among those opposed to it, and it is thought he may soon endorse a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, our correspondent adds.
Gay Valentine
News of the mayor's decision on Thursday to issue marriage licences to gay couples prompted hundreds to converge on city hall.
The first in the line were Phyllis Lyon, 79, and Del Martin, 83, who celebrate 51 years together on Valentine's Day.
They became the first same-sex couple in America to wed legally.
"Some 298 marriage certificates have been issued (on Friday) and 98 (on Thursday)," the mayor's spokesman, Francisco Castillo, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Mr Castillo said that the city would keep marrying gays and lesbians over the Valentine's weekend and would be "celebrating weddings until Tuesday at least".
The mayor's decision was hailed by gay couples around America, many of whom rushed to San Francisco.
"We found out from our friends (on Thursday) afternoon and flew up from Los Angeles last night as soon as we could," Wendy Higgins-Goodell was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
"We've waited 13 years for this," added Ms Higgins-Goodell, as she was holding the daughter her partner Tristan gave birth to last year via artificial insemination.
The weddings went ahead after San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren denied injunctions sought by conservative groups to block same-sex unions.
The groups were told to refile their lawsuits on Tuesday, as the judge said did not give a required 24-hour notice to the San Francisco attorney's office.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3488005.stm
Mayor Gavin Newsome took the decision on the grounds that the ban was a form of discrimination.
The move has immediately been denounced by anti-gay-groups, who are vowing to fight it in the courts.
No US state allows same-sex marriage, however, San Francisco has long been a pioneer in gay rights legislation.
The mayor's decision puts officials centre stage in an intensifying national debate over same-sex marriage, the BBC's David Willis in California says.
President Bush is among those opposed to it, and it is thought he may soon endorse a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, our correspondent adds.
Gay Valentine
News of the mayor's decision on Thursday to issue marriage licences to gay couples prompted hundreds to converge on city hall.
The first in the line were Phyllis Lyon, 79, and Del Martin, 83, who celebrate 51 years together on Valentine's Day.
They became the first same-sex couple in America to wed legally.
"Some 298 marriage certificates have been issued (on Friday) and 98 (on Thursday)," the mayor's spokesman, Francisco Castillo, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Mr Castillo said that the city would keep marrying gays and lesbians over the Valentine's weekend and would be "celebrating weddings until Tuesday at least".
The mayor's decision was hailed by gay couples around America, many of whom rushed to San Francisco.
"We found out from our friends (on Thursday) afternoon and flew up from Los Angeles last night as soon as we could," Wendy Higgins-Goodell was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
"We've waited 13 years for this," added Ms Higgins-Goodell, as she was holding the daughter her partner Tristan gave birth to last year via artificial insemination.
The weddings went ahead after San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren denied injunctions sought by conservative groups to block same-sex unions.
The groups were told to refile their lawsuits on Tuesday, as the judge said did not give a required 24-hour notice to the San Francisco attorney's office.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3488005.stm
Demanding the an imperialist state, born of genocide and slavery, recognize your private union with another human being: Does this give legitimacy to your union, or to the imperialist state?
Why the silence about the Muslim community being out in force to protest gay marriage? If it was the fundamentalist Christians you guys would have it splattered all over the front page of your site. Could it be that you don't want to admit that Muslims are just as hateful as the Christians or any other religion?
Most religions suck.
I am a 19 year old college student. I am thankful that same sex couples are being married. That gives me hope that one day I will have the opportunity to my girlfiend. I only hope that same sex marriage will not be banned in the constitution before I have that opportunity. I had thought about flying to California and getting married while I have the chance, however my mom raised a responsible young lady. If anyone out there cares I am asking from my heart, please give me the same opportunity that straight coulple have?
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