All same-sex couples and members of Marriage Equality USA have been celebrating a major victory in the State of California since yesterday evening, a victory activists and volunteers fought long and hard for: the civil right to marry the person they love.
Marriage Equality USA's president, Mr. David Janis-Kitzmiller and his partner Jeff had the honor of being the first Fairfield residents married in Solano County yesterday. (story)
In other California counties:
- "I'm really amazed and happy," said Jason Scott, leader of Marriage Equality USA's Fresno chapter. "It's something you might not expect in Fresno." (story)
- Monday night's marriage was the second one for Ryan James, 32, and Moe Perez, 39, leaders of the Alameda County chapter of Marriage Equality USA. They lined up for a license on Valentine's Day 2004 in San Francisco after Mayor Gavin Newsom allowed same-sex marriages in that city.
- Jamila Tharp and Michelle Hasting crossed the Canadian border two years ago to commit themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. Both sides of their families attended the Vancouver wedding ceremony, as did their daughter, who was the flower girl, “3, and very excited,” Tharp said. Tharp sits on the Marriage Equality USA board and is on a state advisory board for the Unitarian Universalists Legislative Ministry of California. The stay-at-home mother also sits on the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission. (story)
"No one can rain in our parade. This is an absolutely fantastic day, it's a historic milestone for California as we move forward in the civil rights struggle for our generation." - Marriage Equality USA Media Director Molly McKay
2 comments:
My partner and I had the honor of attending the weddings at Oakland City Hall on Monday evening officiated by Mayor Ron Dellums and Congresswoman Barbara Lee. I cannot describe the pure sense of joy and history in that room. I am thrilled that our relationships have finally been granted the respect and dignity that they deserve.
Kirsten Berzon
I've been reading story after story about same-sex couples who have gotten married across the state of California and around the world. It's absolutely amazing and most people and coverage has been really supportive.
I believe it has to do with folks seeing their neighbors getting married which makes it a very local issue. We at Marriage Equality USA have been working to collect stories on couples who have gotten or are planning to get married. Stories are coming in from across California - a gay couple from Calavares County together for 28 years and now married, another gay couple from Alameda County together from 32 years and raising a cat named Rufus, a lesbian couple from Orange County that sent us their wedding announcements. It goes on and on and we plan to share these stories as the year goes on.
If you know of a same-sex couple who has gotten married and is willing to share their story, ask them to submit an announcement with MEUSA at http://www.marriageequality.org/meusa/news4.shtml.
Thanks!
Pamela Brown
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