Weddings seen as landmark for gays
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (Original Article)
It's been 60 years since the California Supreme Court struck down a ban on interracial marriage despite overwhelming public opposition to such unions.
Nowadays, the sight of a black-and-white married couple would faze only a tiny segment of society.
For gay couples – who began getting legally married last night and will flood the offices of county clerks statewide today – the hope is that a similar court ruling in their favor will be the beginning of their national acceptance.
Associated Press
Lesbian rights activists Del Martin (left) and Phyllis Lyon married yesterday in San Francisco.
NANCEE E. LEWIS / Union-Tribune
Eric Danel (right) and Anita Voorhees waited to be married yesterday at the County Administration Center, the day before same-sex couples are expected to flood
the office. Danel and Voorhees were joined by her daughters (from left), Cindy and Shayna, Shayna’s boyfriend, Anthony Smith, and his son Chris.
“It really does feel like fairness and equality has won the day,” said David VanGilder, 55, of Encinitas, who plans to marry his partner of 27 years this afternoon. “We're finally going to have the respect that a normal married couple gets, and that feels really good.”
The celebrations may be premature, as opposition protests and legal action continued yesterday.
But more than 200 couples – most of them gay – are scheduled to get married in San Diego County today after the court's May 15 ruling struck down a statewide ban on same-sex marriage.
County Clerk Greg Smith plans to open his office doors at the County Administration Center along San Diego Bay at 7 a.m. – an hour earlier than normal – to accommodate the influx.
That will be earlier than most clerk offices statewide, but the county won't be able to claim the first legal gay marriage Frequent Flyer Cards in California.
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Marriage license …continue reading