thelesbianlifestyle.com

I know this is all over the LGBT news sites, but I feel it’s worth another mention here. I know we’ll get there!

By Ann Turner & Tracy E. Gilchrist | 5/15/2008 
As seen on Gaywired.com

Cameramen shuffled into position, dads quieted crying babies and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa adjusted his hot green tie one last time.

The California’s Supreme Court had just handed down its historic decision to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage Thursday and short of a champagne toast and tossing the bouquet, the mood in the courtyard of the tranquil Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center’s press conference was celebratory.

Lorri L. Jean, Director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, admitted to breaking into tears when she received news of the California Supreme Court ruling lifting the ban on same-sex marriage.

“I am so happy!” Jean said. “My heart is full. I have cried this morning. I have cheered this morning. I called my partner, now my fiancé, this morning… Finally I will be able to marry the love of my life, my partner of 16 years. My only sadness is that my father died 7 months ago today and didn’t live to walk me down the aisle. But I know he’s dancing in heaven now! Tonight, we’ll be dancing in the streets!”

A multi-cultural, multi-generational group of gay families, progressive ministers, major players in the historic case and politicians stood on the podium on a steamy 90-plus Los Angeles day to mark the California Supreme Court’s decision that will allow California’s same-sex couples to fully wed.

The crowd of 100-plus reporters, cameramen and ardent supporters of LGBT rights cheered and applauded the movers, shakers and activists who helped make marriage for gay couples a reality.

In a statement the press, Jean said: “Today, our Supreme Court has acted in accordance with the great California traditions of fairness and equality, of live and let live. The California Supreme Court had the integrity and the courage to do its job and say that ALL Californians are entitled to equal protection of the law. This is not an activist court, this is a moderate court. Republican governors appointed all but one of them! And today that moderate Court did exactly what it is supposed to do—it applied the law fairly.”

“Today puts an end to the harm and exclusion done to thousands of loving, committed gay and lesbian couples throughout our state who have been denied the dignity and support that come with marriage,” Jean continued. “We all know that love knows no boundary. Today, in the great state of California, neither does fairness and opportunity.”

“Today will go down in history as a victory for all Californians who cherish family and fairness, freedom and opportunity. Now, all Californians will be able to realize their hopes and dreams by being able to marry the person they love. Today, liberty and justice for all became a reality,” Jean said. 

Several gay and lesbian couples, including pioneering lesbian activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, with the city of San Francisco as the lead plaintiff, sued for the right to marry in the state and won in a 4-3 decision from the California Supreme Court.

While the plaintiffs remained in the Bay Area for the judgment, LGBT marriage activists and loving couples were on hand at the press conference to share their joy. Michael Galluccio and Jon Holden Galluccio’s 11-year-old daughter Madison stood proudly by her dads during and after the press conference. “They’re going to finally be able to get married,” she said.

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How do you feel about the ruling? Do you think voters will get it overturned if it ends up on the ballot in November?