Written by:
Katie Peoples
Photographer:
Catherine Sariosa
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this Issue of Curve:
18#6
The crowd of happy couples chanted, “Kate, Kate, Kate” as Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, walked up the steps of San Francisco City Hall’s rotunda to join them in celebration of the California Supreme Court decision to lift the ban on gay marriage.
The scene was a joyful sequel to the crowds of couples who four years ago stood on the same steps to celebrate the city-issued same-sex marriage licenses. This time however, these couples had the full support of their state.
Kendell, whose organization was part of a coalition of legal groups that represented the 23 couples in their fight for equality that included the Equal Justice Society and the American Civil Liberties Union, said that the end of the ban would change the lives of LGBT people everywhere.
“Today’s ruling will changes the landscape forever,” she said. “Nothing will be the same.”
The emotions of the day swept over everyone at the City Hall press conference, including Kendell, who’s voice cracked as she spoke to the crowd, saying, “We won. We Won.”
“There is not a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender [person] in this country that is not better off because we won. The human family is better off because we won,” she said.
The decision—a 4–3 vote—was made by the conservative court (three of the approving justices were appointed by Republican governors), and Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also voiced his support of the ruling. In a short statement, the governor said he would uphold the court’s ruling and would fight the anti-same-sex marriage amendment ballot initiative in the November election.
The decision also does not validate the 2004 same-sex marriages in San Francisco, however, once the ruling takes effect in 30 days, those couples will be able to get legally married.
Kendell and other legal groups agree that the ruling in California will likely have a ripple effect to neighboring states, as that has been the trend in the past.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom also spoke, reflecting on how far the fight for equal marriage rights had come since he ordered the marriage licenses be given to gay and lesbian couples four years ago.
“What a day for San Francisco. What a day for California,” he shouted over cheers. “What a day for America. What a day for equality!”
“This is about Phyllis [Lyon] and Del Martin, because that’s where it all started,” he said in reference to the lesbian couple, the first same-sex couple ever to receive a marriage license. “It’s about 52 years of love….It’s about civil rights. It’s about human dignity. It’s about time!”
While there was plenty of excitement over the ruling, there is a dark shadow looming on the horizon—an initiative to amend the state constitution to make same-sex marriages illegal is making its way toward the November ballot. Supporters of same-sex marriage warn that the battle isn’t over yet.
“We’ve come so far so fast,” said Geoff Kors, the executive director of Equality California. “Celebrate today but get ready for the fight ahead.”
Still nothing could quash the good mood.
“This is a tough time for people with consciences,” said Eva Patterson, president of the Equal Justice Society, “but this is a good day."
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