Valentine’s Day in Fresno

Valentine’s Day in Fresno
By Mike Rhodes

Chris Jarvis and James Hensley came to the Fresno County Clerk’s office to get married today. They got as far as the front counter when Kathy McClue, assistant Registrar of Voters, told them State law prohibits them from being married. They turned and left. Next in line was another couple and they were not so easily discouraged. When told they could not get married, they refused to leave. McClue told them they could stay in the waiting area if they wanted. The couple demanded to see McClue’s supervisor. She said they would have to take the issue up with the governor of California. They said they would wait while McClue got the governor on the phone. The assistant Registrar of Voters made it clear that was not going to happen.

After a few tense moments, the crowd that had gathered in the County Clerk’s office left. In a prepared statement, Jason Scott the Fresno County chapter leader of Marriage Equality USA, said “we are proud to be a part of this annual event to put a local face on marriage discrimination around the country. We are your neighbors, your co-workers and your friends. On Valentine’s Day we join other couples in celebrating our love and commitment to one another - but unlike our heterosexual counterparts - same-sex couples are denied access to the 1,138 federal rights and hundreds of state rights that only come with a civil marriage license.”

Founded in 2000, Marriage Equality USA is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to secure legally recognized civil marriage equality for all, at the federal and state level, without regard to gender identity of sexual orientation. For more information go to http://www.marriageequality.org .

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