Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in San Francisco!!!

[queerbychoice]

Look, it's the first legal same-sex marriage in the U.S.! And it couldn't happen to a nicer couple. Though I am somewhat puzzled as to how it can be considered legal when my idiotic fellow California voters had already passed a statewide law against same-sex marriage. Is a disbedient mayor really all it takes? If so, why haven't more mayors been disobedient? Surely there are a fair number of cities with queer mayors, even if they haven't publicly come out.

Anyway, I'm definitely glad that Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were chosen for the honor, and not some random couple who'd be destroyed by the pressure. And glad, too, as a loyal Northern Californian, that San Francisco managed to find a way to beat you Massachusetts people to it. :p

Comments

[princesswitch.livejournal.com]

About time your state gets another reason to be proud besides you and mactavish...*ducks!*

Seriously, this is so cooooooool!!!!!

ordinarily I'm not much for marriage, but...

[fflo.livejournal.com]

I was listening to a report on this story on NPR this afternoon; initially they said 2 lesbian activists had been granted a marriage license, and my interest was mildly piqued. But then when they said "The 79 year-old Phyllis...," I knew. And it seemed really good. I am so glad they've made it to be able to do this thing.

You're right---they're the perfect milestone couple.

[coolerbythelake.livejournal.com]

There's some story in the onion that says, "I don't see what the fuss is about. [Gay marriage] is already legal. My sister is married to a gay guy, and everyone knows it." ;-)

That's a nice story, and such a sweet picture, too.

[donutgirl.livejournal.com]

my mayor is gay. he's a shit, though.

legality of it all

[nodesignation.livejournal.com]

**Quick legal background info**

The reason why it only takes a disobedient mayor in CA is because of the contradictory laws. CA did pass legislation that says that marriage is only between a man and a woman, but the CA constitution has strict language forbidding discrimination. The mayor is citing the CA constitution and saying that the constitution overrules any legislation. It's a very defendable position, but it will definitively depend on what judge is making the decision once it gets to the CA supreme court, because they could very easily say that the constitution doesn't specifically mention discrimination on sexual orientation or in marriage or something like that. That's why they timed it on a three day weekend so they can at least give out marriage licences all weekend before a judge even gets to look at the case.