Feature Archives

On March 14th, there was a Welcome Home Stephen Funk event, held at the Humanist Hall in Oakland. The dinner event included dinner, performances and speeches by people such as Tommi Avicolli Mecca, as well as a screening of the film Fourth World War
For more information about Stephen Funk, see our coverage on the Anti-War Page and on the LGBTQI Page.

3/11/2004: With local courts refusing to put an immediate stop to same-sex marriages, the State Supreme Court in Sacramento stepped in today with a ruling putting same-sex marriages "on pause," after State Attorney General Lockyer had asked the high court to take up the case without lower court review. The court will likely consider Lockyer's request in May or June.
According to Jon Davidson, one of the attorneys representing the over 4,000 same-sex couples married so far in San Francisco, "Today is just the beginning of our fight on behalf of these married couples and others who have not yet gotten married. This case will ultimately resolve whether the California Constitution requires that same-sex couples be given the equal right to marry."
In response to the Supreme Court's actions, protesters gathered at Harvey Milk Plaza and marched to the Courthouse (Photos).
Also on March 11th, Marriage Equality California held a lunchtime rally to call for equal rights in San Francisco's Union Square. Read more about same-sex marriage struggles below.

On 3/11/2004: Marriage Equality California organized a lunchtime rally to call for equal rights from 11-1 in San Francisco's Union Square.

3/9/2004: On Monday, the city of Seattle announced that it would recognize marriage licenses of same-sex couples, so that spouses of city employees will be able to receive benefits. Today San Jose became the first California city to announce that it would recognize same-gender marriages, but only those of city employees (?). The son of Pete Knight, one of the chief opponents of gay marriage in California and nationwide, was married today in San Francisco to his male partner. The city of San Francisco has asked the California Supreme Court to stay out of the lawsuit that has been filed there until after the lower courts have considered the matter. The case is scheduled to be heard in San Francisco Superior Court on March 29th. Last week a temporary restraining order forced the mayor of New Paltz, NY to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
This week's marriage-related events list from Marriage Equality California.
3/3/04: California: As same-sex marriages continue in San Francisco, Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger has said that he does not support a proposed Federal Marriage Amendment which fellow Republican President Bush supports. He says that he is aware that California voters chose to oppose gay marriage, and acknowledges that the voters could choose to overturn the law which he claims that SF Mayor Gavin Newsom is breaking. Proposition 22, which defines marriage as only being between a man and a woman, was passed four years ago this week. The Juvenile Crime Initiative Proposition 21, which was approved by the voters on the same day as Prop 22, has since been overturned in the courts. Outrage over George Bush's opposition to her right to marry led Rosie O'Donnell to get married in SF last week.
On March 16th, the city of Oakland will consider whether to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Oregon: Multnomah County, which includes the city of Portland, began issuing same-sex marriage licenses today.
New York: The Attorney General of New York State said today that same-sex couples who were married elsewhere are considered legally married in New York. The town New Paltz, in New York, is at odds with Ulster County, the county in which it resides, because its mayor is issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The State Attorney General has ordered a review of the state constitution to see if the marriages are already legal, but Republican Governor Pataki has said that state law clearly allows marriages only between a man and a woman. The County District Attorney has charged the Mayor of New Paltz Tuesday with 19 counts of solemnizing a marriage without a license, which is a misdemeanor under the domestic relations law.
Meanwhile, Mayor Carolyn Peterson announced Monday that the upstate city of Ithaca would begin accepting applications for marriage licenses from same sex couples, but would then pass the applications on to the state for approval.
Massachusetts: State legislators failed to agree to pass an amendment to the state constitution that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. They will likely take up the issue again on March 11th. The state Supreme Court has already said that same-sex couples must be given equal marriage rights to those of opposite-sex couples.
Nationally, the Senate is debating the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment today. Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney who campaigned for her father for the 2000 election, has disappeared from the political spotlight and has not spoken out about the gay marriage question. This has prompted activists to start a Dear Mary website. Dick Cheney yesterday asked that people leave Mary Cheney out of the gay marriage debate. Cheney did not speak directly for the Federal Marriage Amendment, but did say that he supports the President. Since the President recently announced his support for the Amendment, it is safe to assume that Cheney does not want his lesbian daughter to have the same access to civil rights that his other presumably straight daughters enjoy.
In breakup-related news, the US Supreme Court declined to rule on a case that involved second-parent adoption. This means that the California Supreme Court ruling in favor of second-parent adoptions stands.

4/29 at 7pm in SF: RAVENOUS!: Dinner Theater Benefit for Queeruption

2/25: President Bush has finally ended months of innuendo and called for an amendment that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman. Many organizations in favor of same gender marriage have published statements opposing the amendment. Some have called for nationwide protests to be held on Wednesday 2/25.
2/23:Marriage licenses in San Francisco are now issued by appointment only.
Protests have been called for if and when the courts decide to put a stop to same-sex marriages. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger failed to intimidate state Attorney General Lockyer into stopping the city of San Francisco's issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
On Friday February 20th, a San Francisco judge again refused to halt same-sex marriages in SF. On Thursday, the City of SF sued the State of California to recognize same-sex marriages.
On Thursday February 12th, San Francisco became one of the first government entities in the United States to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Weddings continued all week despite efforts by the Campaign for California Families, the Alliance Defense Fund, Gov. Schwarzenegger and other right wingers to stop them. As of Friday the 20th, over 3000 same-sex couples have received licenses.
The first couple married was Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. In 1955, they were two of the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first national organization for lesbians in the United States. Among others married on 2/12 were Marriage Equality California Executive Directors Davina Kotulski and Molly McKay.
Read More: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 | Photos: 1 2 3 4 5 6 | FAQ On Obtaining Marriage Licenses In SF
2/15: Hundreds of people camped out at City Hall on Sunday night in order to be the first people in line to get licenses on Monday. Reports: 1 Photos: 1
Gay Couples Also Exchanging Vows In Bernalillo, N.M. | San Francisco Inspires Cambodia | New Paltz, NY Takes Legal Lead

Tues, 2/17: In two hearings on Tuesday judges refused to halt same-sex marriages in SF, instead ordering the city to appear in court on 3/29 and show legal cause why it should continue issuing the marriage certificates. Another hearing is scheduled for this Friday.
On Thursday February 12th, San Francisco became the only government entity in the United States to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Weddings continued through the holiday weekend despite efforts by the Campaign for California Families and the Alliance Defense Fund to stop them. By Monday night over 2400 same-sex couples had received licenses.
The first couple married Thursday was Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. In 1955, they were two of the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first national organization for lesbians in the United States. Among others married Thursday were Marriage Equality California Executive Directors Davina Kotulski and Molly McKay.
Read More: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7 | Photos: 1  2  3  4  5 | FAQ On Obtaining Marriage Licenses In SF
2/15: Hundreds of people camped out at City Hall on Sunday night in order to be the first people in line to get licenses on Monday. Reports: 1 Photos: 1

2/4/04 The Supreme Court in Massachusetts ruled today that according only civil unions, rather than full marriage rights to same-sex couples, would amount to discrimination. Although same-sex couples should be able to marry as of next May, a battle is still being waged over the marriage issue. The combined Legislature faces a vote on an anti- gay marriage bill on Feb. 11; however, voters would not get to decide on the issue until at least 2006. On February 7th, Ohio's governor signed a bill that condemns same sex marriage in that state and also bans domestic partners of state employees from sharing benefits. On the national level, a proposed Federal Marriage Amendment would define marriage as only being between a man and a woman. President Bush supports that position.