Marriage for all has been a long time coming. Why has the simplest concept (and hallmark of an enlightened society) - equal rights for every person - taken such a ridiculously long time to extend to marriage?
About 140 years after African American men gained the right to vote, and nearly 90 years after women gained that same right, our government- or at least the Supreme Court of California - has finally recognized that two people who are in love - whether man and woman, man and man, or woman and woman - should have the right to solemnize that love in marriage. And the word is important. While "domestic partnership" rights and "marriage" rights are basically co-extensive in California, it's stigmatizing and unfair that gay men and women did not - until today! - have the right to be married. Such a basic and wonderful right. And a relationship that every person should be entitled to enter into, if they so choose. I'm so happy that after so many years, couples like the pair below can celebrate their love by marrying.
The Superior Court where I work faces City Hall and today there were television crews everywhere and couples holding hands, kissing, and just expressing the utter joy that comes with equality of rights. It was a beautiful sight and I couldn't help smiling as I walked towards the subway.
We're still quite far from being a society where each person's rights are equal to the other's but this is a huge step in the right direction...
Congratulations!!!
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