Gay Marriages Commence Today in California

With the first gay marriages scheduled to begin at 5:01 PM Pacific time today, even the Virginian Pilot is carrying fairly detailed coverage. No doubt the fundies and sheeple over at Regent University are writhing as if possessed by demons at the mere thought of it. I checked a few of the extreme Christianist organization web pages and they are beside themselves and putting out all kinds of deliberately untrue statements (e.g., male dominated Concerned Bitches for Americain, American Family Association, etc.) in order to (i) dupe the ignorant and (ii) use scare tactics to get those checks and credit card donations coming in at a rapid rate. I'm sure the attitude of these "Godly Christians" is why let the truth get in the way when there is a lot of cash to be had. It always amazes me how the disingenuous and down right fraudulent snake oil merchants of the Christian Right have the nerve to call honest, hard working, loving and compassionate gays "sinners" when they themselves demonstrate an utter moral bankruptcy combine with insatiable greed. Here are some story highlights:

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin [pictured above] fell in love at a time when lesbians risked being arrested, fired from their jobs and sent to electroshock treatment. On Monday afternoon, more than a half-century after they became a couple, Lyon and Martin plan to become the first same-sex couples to legally exchange marriage vows in San Francisco and among the first in the state.

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San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom plans to officiate at the private ceremony in his City Hall office before 50 invited guests. He picked Martin, 87, and Lyon, 84, for the front of the line in recognition of their long relationship and their status as pioneers of the gay rights movement. Along with six other women, they founded a San Francisco social club for lesbians in 1955 called the Daughters of Bilitis. Under their leadership, it evolved into the nation's first lesbian advocacy organization. They have the FBI files to prove it.

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The couple, who live in the same San Francisco house they bought in 1956, do not get out much now. Martin needs a wheelchair to get around. Although they plan to briefly greet well-wishers at City Hall after the ceremony, they are having a private reception for friends and family. "It's so endearing because they do seem excited and a little bit nervous," Kendell said. "It's like the classic feelings anyone has as their wedding day approaches."

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Because a few other clerk's offices agreed to stay open until the court's decision becomes final at 5 p.m. PDT, other couples planning late afternoon weddings may already have tied the knot before the mayor pronounces Lyon and Martin "spouses for life." They don't mind. They know they already are. "We get along well," Lyon said. "And we love each other."