Gay marriage in san francisco
On this Valentine's Day, San Francisco celebrated a watershed moment in the battle for marriage equality.
It's been 20 years since the "Winter of Love," when then Mayor Gavin Newsom defied state law and called on local officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
On a gilded balcony overlooking the scene, Beverly and Suzanne Ford were among the many same-sex couples who renewed their vows in a public ceremony officiated by Mayor London Breed.
Others who spoke in assist of the LGBTQ society included Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission general manager Dennis Herrera, who was the city attorney in when San Francisco successfully sued the declare of California, resulting in the legalization of queer marriage in It was legalized nationally in
On Feb. 12, , then-Mayor Gavin Newsom and other city officials began issuing marriage licenses to lgbtq+ couples. City officials estimated certificates were issued in the first three days.
At p.m. on March 11, , Pali Cooper and Jeanne Rizzo were next in line when the California Supreme Court ordered the city to halt the practice and vo
Lesbian and Gay Couples in San Francisco Are Granted Marriage Licenses
Historic, first-in-the-nation travel is heralded as major breakthrough for fairness and equality
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SAN FRANCISCO--The City and County of San Francisco today became the first government in the United States to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. City officials followed a directive establish in motion by Mayor Gavin Newsom. Advocates heralded the move as the most significant moment in the fight for identical marriage rights for homosexual couples.
""For many Americans, their wedding day is one of the happiest days of their life,"" said Geoffrey Kors, executive director for Equality California, the state's leading homosexual rights advocacy group. ""For these San Francisco couples, it is no other with one exception. Yesterday, they couldn't get married. Today, they can. To suggest that these couples are experiencing a profound sense of happiness is an understatement.""
Dorothy Ehrlich, executive director of the ACLU of Northern California, added: "Just as we told the state in when they passed a statute limiting marriage to a man and a gal, that kind of discrimination against same-sex coup
Couples wed in SF to commemorate 20 years since 'Winter of Love' lgbtq+ marriages
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco is not only celebrating Valentine's Night on Wednesday, but this week the city is celebrating 20 years since the "Winter of Love."
That monumental time when the city challenged state regulation and began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Walking through the hallways of City Hall, Steve Gilman and Matthew Belmont grasp on to each other tight knowing that many fought for what they decided to do Wednesday.
"I do," said Gilman and Belmont as they held each other's hands.
It was 20 years ago this week that then Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the city to begin issuing marriage licenses to queer couples in what became known as "The Winter of Love."
On Wednesday, Mayor London Breed commemorated the historic move with many of the key players that led the battle for marriage equality.
VIDEO: Gay couple reflects on 20 years of marriage equality in San Francisco
"We are celebrating
Same-sex couple reflects on 20 years of marriage equality in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- On February 12, , then Mayor Gavin Newsom defied the federal same-sex marriage exclude and allowed same-sex couples the right to partner in San Francisco. The fight didn't end there and one of the couples who took part in that historic daytime reflects on the past 20 years.
That day became a moment in occasion John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney never thought would come.
"It was the most urgent wedding proposal you ever heard! It was John screaming into the phone, 'It's history! We can get married, fetch to City Hall now, now, now!" smiled Stuart, sitting beside his companion of 37 years.
John was attending a Freedom to Marry Day rally when the news broke. Then Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the city to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in what became known as "The Winter of Love."
MORE: Bay Area Catholic community reacts to Vatican's blessing for same-sex couples
"At that moment as we got married, 17 years together then it was the first time in our lives we felt like matching human beings in the eyes of the law," said John, while holdi
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