(pix to come later, once I figure out how to insert them...)
Ah, blessed celebration! Cambridge, MA's City Hall was a huge, impromptu party last night as a throng in the thousands counted down to the legalization of gay marriage in the commonwealth. A small marching band contingent played "Goin' to the Chapel" and "God Bless America." Also present: a violinist and an Eastern European dance troupe. Signs abounded: "God Love Fags", "Hey, Romney, we're Legal Now!", and the celebratory "Mazel Tov" and simply "Yay!"
When I drove past City Hall around 6pm, the only visible folks were the anti-marriage protesters, holding signs of two dogs with the caption "Fags Wed". These protesters were apparently imports from Kansas, courtesy of a Reverend Phelps. I'm happy to say that by the stroke of midnight, the dozen or so of these folks had been pushed off the lawn, and indeed off Mass. Ave to upper reaches of the Post Office steps. In order words, essentially invisible in the huge crowd, and completely neutralized.
The stroke of midnight was counted down, then a prolonged cheer went up. The place was swarming with film crews, with one commentator attempting to do an on-air piece, but having trouble with the boisterous crowd cheering behind him, not unlike sports fans on camera. How delightful to think that these images of a supportive straight and gay crowd will be circulating in the media. Though most images I've seen have been interior pictures, and you don't get a sense of the party on the lawn.
And if you check out the New York Times article on this today, you can see a picture of my financial planner and her partner of 19 years with their daughter.
Reporting from Cambridge, hotbed of democracy,
magpie02141