"Let me not to the marriage of true minds/ Admit impediments"
You’ve got to hand it to dapper Gavin Newsom, recently sworn-in mayor of San Francisco through a squeaker election over progressive Matt Gonzalez: he’s pulled off a crowd pleaser for Valentine’s Day! And on an overcast or downright wet President’s Day I was there to witness the hundreds still gathered in front of SF City Hall, and snaking line of couples wrapping two thirds of the ornate edifice larger than many a state house, waiting patiently (as some had been camped out overnight) simply to be married in a civil ceremony.
As I anticipate celebrating the finalization of my divorce next month, I remember being married in an identical ceremony though with less fanfare seven years ago in this place. I married my Brazilian friend, Flavia, to help her get a green card. I wanted to know what benefits accrue to civil-supported married people—to make relatives—something then unavailable to same-sex couples. I don’t regret the lifelong friendships I cemented through this union, though I understand that a marriage without a depth of love and commitment won’t last.
Most of the couples patiently waiting to be married weren’t young and had probably been cohabitating for years. Why such a big deal over a piece of paper a court on Tuesday might well deem null and void? In 2004 the eventual outcome depends—not on any number of hypocritical state constitutional measures defending poor heterosexual marriage—but on whether the US Constitution shall be interpreted to support equal rights for all its citizens. If the Supreme Court eventually finds against the rights of gays and lesbians, our country will be justly ridiculed by much of the world.
On such an overcast winter day, City Hall was the festive place to be. For an hour or so I applauded couples sealing their bonds on this historic weekend day. Waiting taxis offered free rides to Just Marrieds! Umbrellas and food were freely dispensed. A mariachi band played their horns while two Latinas, emerging from the heavy doors in brocaded tunics, danced a traditional celebration of their nuptial vows.
posted by Paul at 12:32 PM
