San Francisco Officials Marry Gay Couple

Same Sex Marriage Forum

http://sfgate.com/chronicle/pictures/2004/02/13/ba_gaywed_01_lm.jpg

In a political and legal challenge to California law, city authorities officiated at the marriage of a lesbian couple Thursday and said they will issue more gay marriage licenses.

SAN FRANCISCO - The act of civil disobedience was coordinated by Mayor Gavin Newsom and top city officials and was intended to beat a conservative group to the punch.

The group, Campaign for California Families, had planned to go to court on Friday to get an injunction preventing the city from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.

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.

Ragone said that beginning at noon, officials would begin issuing marriage licenses to any gay couples applying for one.

Source: AP

Oh great... I'm on vacation IN San Francisco. Just got here today.
Heidi and I will be looking into this.

that's beautiful, they've been together 51 years and finally get their dream....

Yes, we ARE witnessing history, mystic. And it's powerful.
But, since I'm up here in the Bay Area right now, I'm getting the local news.
They are saying that the marriage licenses might not mean anything.
So, even though the mayor has given the 'greenlight' and married some
samsex couples, this is going to be a battle in the courts.

But, we're moving in the right direction, and I can't believe it.
It gives us much hope, in the gay community.
Look at that couple! FIFTY ONE YEARS TOGETHER! How can you deny that?
And you're right... there are MANY heterosexual couples that can't do that.

heh, when you really think about
at any given moment, we are witnessing history





wow. 51 years. I may not even be alive for 51 more years. That's a long time.

What a beautiful moment in their lives! I'd be weeping with joy too! This is really a step in the right direction! Let's hear it for the evolution of society!

I seem to have an eye leak here. What moves me is this couple probably never thought they'd live to see the day .... and they HAVE.

It is a joy to witness.

What´s "Governator Ah-nold" gonna do about it? I mean, the current occupant of the White House has issued something resembling an edict which defines marriage as being between "a man and a woman". As "Governator" of California, shouldn´t Schwarzenegger take a stand on the issue?
BTW, there have recently also been first-time gay marriages abroad. Congratulations, and best of luck to the couples!

Thank you, Chainech. It's a long road that we're on. The battle is hard, but we don't give up.

The number one question i would like to ask, IS NOTHING SACRED? Marriage is a sacred institution which did't come about by accident. It is pretty obvious that marriage is meant for two people of the opposing sex. Or hasn't any one noticed this? But like all things in this day and age, when popular culture rears its ugly head it will always contaminate anything that comes into contact with it. ANYONE CAN NOW GET MARRIED! In my book that is bad news. For some strange reason, every thing has to be access-able!Why? It won't be long before we start having pet weddings. Or better still condom and vibrator weddings! Picture this! "Do you, condom take this dear beloved <REMOVED> of yours to be your lawful wedded partner?"asked reverend Rubber."I do, i do, i do!"came the reply. What i would like to know, what on earth has happened to Christianity? For some reason it just seems to have thrown itself completely out of the window. OK, for now we live in a godless world. Not a good thing, but one thing is for, it won't last for ever. The freaks, who make up the politically correct brigade have been lucky so far and they have been allowed to have their wicked, wicked way with the rest of the world. But like i said, it won't last for ever. Mark my words! Here endeth the lesson.

No , nothing is nothing. For anything to be sacred, it would have to be something, wouldn´t it? Sir, you are indeed a genius. Sarcasm has an extremely deadly price tag attached to it. You owe me five hundred million bucks! Er....pounds that is!

Who cares anymore, i'm sick of it. They can do what they want. I could care less, i won't get in there way if the stay outta mine, but that pretty much goes for everyone.

Tho people seem to think long tem marriage is impossible people are still doing it.


big deal a homosexual couple made it 51 years......let's trow a party for two people that have pulled of this miracle, WAIT A SEC! it's been done already by many couples :O

I think the point behind Mystic's comment about the lesbian couple being together for over half a century, is that many argue that homosexual relationships are promiscuous and not monogamous. Also compared to most marriages in our generation that often end in divorce, (Not the people who've been married for 70 years, elderly couples like that tend to value marriage more than recent generations do) about 40% - 50% of marriages in today's society end in divorce. I think Mystic's point was that obviously the couple in question is devoted to one another, and in comparison to alot of hetero couples now a days, maybe even more devoted.

Agreed, chel... I love how it's only straight couples that they think can have long lasting marriages. Give me a break!