In California, Same-Sex Couples Rush To the Altar After Ban Is Overturned

Buy an ad on DigitalJournal.com

Recently the ban on same-sex marriages was overturned in the state of California. It was back in May when it this historic event had taken place. Back in 2003 when Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had taken office, he became instrumental to the ban on gay marriages. However, there were many that had defied Schwarzenegger’s ban.

With the ban being overturned, California can expect a lot of same-sex marriage ceremonies to take place now. Some clerks have extended their hours to give out the necessary marriage licenses allow these couples to get married on the spot. These are couples that have waited many years for this to be possible.

“These are not folks who just met each other last week and said, ‘Let’s get married.’ These are folks who have been together in some cases for decades,” according to Kate Kendell, who is the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ executive director.

What Kendell says does carry weight as they are no different from heterosexual couples. Even most heterosexual couples do not get married a week after meeting each other for the first time. Same-sex couples are no different.

It was Gavin Newsom, the Mayor of San Francisco, who had played the instrumental role in overturning the ban. He was responsible for the series of lawsuits needed to overturn that ban. Newsom himself presided over the ceremony of 87 year old Del Martin and 84 year old Phyllis Lyon.

Martin and Lyon have both been pioneers and advocates for the gay rights movement. These two have been together for the longest time. Perhaps the right to marry each other was one of their last wishes.

There was much support and well-wishing from all around. However, there was a small opposition present at the wedding. It was only a small group of people that had opposed the wedding of Martin and Lyon.

Interestingly enough, Newsom’s fight to repeal the ban on same-sex marriages had started out back in 2004. It was a long legal battle that had taken four years. After four years, the ban was overturned. One could imagine that this was quite the legal battle.

Now same-sex weddings can be legalized in the state of California. However, it will not stop opponents from trying to have the ruling overturned. The overturning of the ban has been met with resistance.