First Gay Marriages in California Proceed Smoothly

By Anastacia Mott Austin

If the first legally married gay couples in California were surprised at how few protesters showed up to complain, they weren’t showing it.

They focused instead on their joy at being legally married, in the nation’s second only state to legalize gay marriage.

"This time, to me, feels more real," said Lorie Franks, 43, to reporters. Franks had previously wed her longtime partner Annemary in February 2004 in San Francisco, when that city’s mayor Gavin Newsom ordered city clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

But that time, the courts invalidated all 4,000 marriages that were performed, saying that Newsom had no authority to overturn state law. However, in part because of Newsom’s actions in 2004, California’s State Supreme Court recently reviewed the state’s ban on homosexual marriage and declared it unconstitutional.

Now, Franks and her now-legal spouse are legit.

Many of the couples interviewed said the day felt both significant and ordinary. "It was subdued at City Hall, more subdued than four years ago, more subdued than I expected," said Kate Kendell, the director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, who spent the day at San Francisco’s City Hall. "I do think we are still in a moment of disbelief."

The sentiment was echoed by other couples who reported that the moment they were declared legally wed was an unexpectedly emotional one. Ronni Pahl, part of one of the first gay couples legally married in Santa Clara County, told reporters, "There was this sense of pride that I had never, ever felt before. It came from my toes and came all the way up. I’ve been proud waving my rainbow flag before, but this is different."

Several of the new spouses told the press that there was a significant, yet subtle change in how they perceived their unions. Now being part of the bigger community picture felt important, and sharing basic social rituals like wedding pictures could belong to them too.

The media reported that many of the couples being married arrived in traditional wedding attire like white dresses and tuxedos. But many wore simple, conservative clothing, with flowers in hand or on lapels.

Kimberly Richman, a sociologist from the University of San Francisco, told reporters that this could be indicative of gay couples’ awareness that they’re on a world stage. "People want to keep things dignified. They want to take it seriously, and they know the world is watching," said Richman.

Most city halls around the state reported about triple the number of marriage license applications and very few, if any, protesters. Most locations had one or two lonely folks holding up signs with slogans like "Marriage equals one man and one woman."

"I'm saddened and disturbed by what's happening in there," said Ciaran O'Donnell, 51, who stood outside the Santa Clara City Hall with a poster that read, "Gay marriage is a fairy tale."

O’Donnell stood alone, and was repeatedly heckled by the people going in and out of the building.

Most opponents of gay marriage said they were saving their energy for the anti-gay marriage initiative to appear on California’s November ballot.

"Our relentless focus is on passing the marriage amendment," said Brian Brown, a representative of the National Organization for Marriage in California. "Being on the streets doesn't accomplish our goal. We're organizing to pass it, and that's where all our energy is going right now," said Brown to reporters.

One of the first couples to marry was 87-year-old Del Martin and her partner Phyllis Martin, 83, whose marriage ceremony was performed by Mayor Newsom himself. The two have been longtime advocates for gay rights, and have been a couple for more than 50 years. Now, they’re legally married.

After the ceremony, Newsom said to the press, "I think, today, marriage as an institution has been strengthened," he said. "I think, today, marriage has been affirmed."