All across America yesterday, radical homosexual activists staged events to demand marriage equality. Here's a brief rundown of some of the events.
The University of Wyoming's Queer Advocacy Network hosted two protests yesterday, one outside the student union on campus,
and the other in downtown Laramie.
The "Equality State" is considering a constitutional amendment to ban recognition of same-sex marriages performed outside the state (don't worry Wyoming, the Obama administration is defending your heterosexual privilege in court).
In San Francisco, eighteen same-sex marriage activists were arrested and received citations after they staged a sit-in at the San Francisco county clerk's office. The nine same-sex couples sat down in the clerk's office and refused to leave after they requested--and were denied--marriage licenses. KTVU has video, including an interview with the first couple married after the protesters arrested. Newly wedded Joyce Dequina said, "It should be fair. As long as two people love each other, there should be a union."
(h/t slksfca for the video)
In Chicago, six same-sex marriage activists staged a six hour sit-in after couple Judy Heithmar and Danelle Wylder were denied a marriage license. The sit-in, which included reading a list of the rights and priviledges denied same-sex couples, ended with their arrest.
This action followed a protest outside the Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday. The Catholic church was an outspoken critic of the civil unions legislation that was recently signed into law by Illinois governor Pat Quinn.
In Grand Rapids, a dozen same-sex marriage supporters participated in an inter-faith rally in Calder Plaza.
The Rev. Mary Martin said: “I think society has done a poor job of fostering wholeness, and one of the fractures is marital equality for some, and not others. There's no law against love. We all win when there is justice, and marital equality is a human-rights issue.”
In Denver, same-sex couples sought marriage licenses and were denied. KWGN spoke with the couples who tried to get married. Video here (sorry, couldn't embed). On the same day, legislation to legalize same-sex civil unions was introduced in the Colorado legislature. Supporters believe that the bill would easily pass the Democratic Senate, but would face hurdles in the Republican House, where opponents can keep the bill from reaching the floor for a vote.
In Annapolis, supporters of a same-sex marriage bill held a rally at Lawyer's Mall, as The Washington Post reported that backers of the legislation had secured enough votes for passage.
In Albuquerque, marriage equality activists staged a protest on Civic Plaza as Wendi Miracle and Tracey Davis held their own action in the clerks office. After their request was turned down, the couple were married in the office by Rev. Judith Maynard, a pastor at Metropolitan Community Church.
At the beginning of the year, the Attorney General of New Mexico announced that same-sex marriages performed outside the state would be recognized by the state. Anti-gay legislators have introduced legislation to reverse this decision.
In Duluth, Minnesota,
More than 100 singing and waving people formed a heart-shaped sea in the parking lot of Duluth’s First United Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon to deliver a pointed Valentine’s Day message.
“Love is love. It’s a fundamental human right, not one that can be approved or disapproved by a vote,” said Gary Anderson of Duluth, organizer of Sunday’s event.
Source
(h/t ricklewsive )
In Norfolk, Virginia, Garland Tillery and Jim Early, together for more than 30 years, were among several same-sex couples who were denied a marriage license. The Virginian-Pilot has video.
"It will happen one day, and you will issue me a license," Tillery said before he and Early, his partner of more than 30 years, walked off.