They did it for the Blend: interviews with couples at S.F. City Hall

Wonderful video... let me clear away tears ..

and just say that per the LA Times as of 3PM 1451 Licenses had been issued in the state today. That is three times the usual number.

One of these was to George Takei and Brad Altman... and they look so happy. See photo in LA Times West Hollywood (WEHO) blog.

Also here is brief mention of ALL that the Westboro demonstration turned out to be.... in Martinez CA where the County Clerk Stephen in gorgeous full dress kilt married his partner John Hemm.

 

In West Hollywood, more than 100 people, wearing everything from T-shirts to tuxedoes, were in line Tuesday morning in front of an auditorium that was turned into a licensing center in the city's main park. Six white cabanas with chandeliers and silk flowers were ready for weddings.

Among those getting marriage licenses were actor and gay rights activist George Takei and his longtime partner, Brad Altman; they are planning a September wedding.

"Today we are all here to give flesh and blood reality to that ruling. We are going to make history," said Takei, who played Sulu in the "Star Trek" television series and movies. "Congratulations to all of us and may equality live long and prosper."

Every county was required to start issuing new gender-neutral marriage licenses Tuesday with spaces for "Party A" and "Party B" where "bride" and "groom" used to be.

"Am I Party A or Party B?" Contra Costa County Clerk Stephen Weir jokingly asked his partner of 18 years, John Hemm.

They were the first to marry at Weir's office Tuesday morning. Outside, three opponents of gay marriage from the Westboro Baptist Church picketed, carrying signs with sayings such as "God is your enemy."

Members of the sect are most often seen at military funerals in demonstrations claiming U.S. combat deaths are God's punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

The protesters were easily outnumbered by about three dozen supporters of gay marriage, who held signs that read "Hate is not a family value" and "My marriage is not threatened by theirs, why is yours?" Police vehicles lined up near the demonstrators.

Then as of 12:30 per bloggers only supporters were left and eveyone was joyous.

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 20:13:46 PM CDT

Can't get enough...

Paul and Hope, that is so cool.  Thanks for sending news from the "front" (of civil rights).  
Humm, I would have thought there would be more than 1451, but hey, two days ago there were ZER0.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 20:23:15 PM CDT

People may be waiting

In Sac County, the dates available only go through August, so my FWIG and I can't reserve our date (Sept. 5) yet.

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by: Darkrose @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 20:44:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

..that was just to 3PM, so right total will be more.

I guess some kind of deadline for reporting. We'll have the final figures tomorrow. 

Hoot! Heidi was right down there.  Too Neat!  ...  I have friends coming from FL for a June 26 or 27 date but that is Pride weekend so can't get there I don't think.

Just imaging was SF PRIDE will be like this year a REAL REAL REAL Celebration. And do you see all those families! LOTS of kids in these wedding parties.  

 

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 21:29:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I saw you at City Hall, Paul

Last night my wife and I went down to join the crowd in front of city hall.  I heard some guy call out, "Hey Paul, Paul Barwick!" and I recognized your name from the Blend.  I saw you turning around and would have come over to say hi if we weren't headed over to meet some friends.  

I went back this morning to cheer on couples getting married.  It's just luck that I was able to be in SF this week, since my wife had to attend a conference here, but it's been a wonderful time.  We're going to be working against the amendment from our home in Texas so that next time we come to California, we'll be getting married (again), too!

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by: Heidi @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 20:37:57 PM CDT

Sorry I missed you, Heidi

But maybe next time that you two are in town we can get together.  I would love to meet you and any other Blenders who get out this way.  I met our buddy Radical Russ when he was in town a couple of years back for a NORML convention, but I don't remember too much of that meeting.  I must have ingested something that affected my short term memory that night :)

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by: Paul In SF @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 23:42:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Also... The PETER loses .... .... again!!!!

This from 365 News. 

(San Francisco, California) A California state appeals court on Tuesday refused a motion by a conservative group to halt the rush by same-sex couples to marry.

The Campaign for California Families argued that marriage licenses should not be issued until the legislature amends dozens of state laws addressing marriage to conform with the state Supreme Court ruling that gays and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry.

The organization was represented by the Virginia-based Liberty Counsel.

It argued that the wording of the high allows the lower court to set the terms and schedule for implementing the decision.

"The motion for stay or other extraordinary relief, submitted by the Campaign for California Families on June 12, 2008, is denied" the appeals court ruled.

It was the second loss for the group. Earlier this month the Supreme Court rejected a motion to stay its decision legalizing same-sex marriage until voters have a chance to consider a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 21:31:27 PM CDT

...and NORWEGIANS Gays can Marry and Adopt!

I am going to remember June 17 as a very GOOD day.!

(Oslo) Norway's upper house passed a new equality law Tuesday giving gay couples the same rights as heterosexuals to marry, adopt children and have artificial insemination.

The 23-17 upper house vote in favor of the gender neutral marriage law was expected, since a parliamentary majority announced agreement on the legislation last month. The lower house voted 84-41 in favor last week. (story)

The Norwegian law was passed as gay couples wed in California on the first full day that same-sex marriages were allowed there.

The new Norwegian legislation replaces a 1993 law that gives gays the right to enter civil unions similar to marriage, but did not allow church weddings or adoption. It takes effect Jan. 1.

"We are so overjoyed. We have worked for this for so long," said Jon Reidar Oeyan, leader of the Norwegian National Association of Lesbian and Gay Liberation. "Now we are going to celebrate. I didn't dare until I heard the chairman of the upper house bang the hammer."

Also from 365.  

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 21:39:40 PM CDT

Its great news but here is how we are treated in the South...

She may be a prostitute but I don't think straight prostitutes are treated this way...
Transgender prostitute beaten in Memphis city jail by cop while bystanders look away
http://www.wmctv.com/global/st...
Please speak out!!!

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by: goldynboy @ Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 22:09:52 PM CDT

Anguished Pastor: Quote of the Day

[Reverend]Willis spied a gay couple in the front row who attend her church, and said she felt outraged that she could not join the other ministers leading the ceremony to bless them.

"It was surreal to watch this and think, How can I not bless these people?" Ms. Willis said. "I can bless a car, and I have. I've been asked to bless animals, children, homes, bread, grape juice, but I can't bless a gay and lesbian couple. That's unreal to me."

from the NYT:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06...

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Wed Jun 18, 2008 at 04:52:13 AM CDT