Reminder to go to Castro tonight!

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Molly McKay

Northern California Executive Director

Marriage Equality California

(510)332-0872

mmckay [at] marriageequalityca.org

Marriage Equality California Thanks Mayor Newsom and Congratulates all
the newly married same-sex couples!

As the current Adidas campaign says "Impossible is potential. Impossible
is temporary. Impossible is nothing," said Molly McKay, Executive
Director of Marriage Equality California. "In light of this historic
occasion there will be a spontaneous wedding reception, celebration and
party tonight in the Castro at 9pm. People are urged to bring flowers.
bring champagne but not to stay out so late they can't get up early and
come to the Valentine's Day Rally tomorrow at the State Capitol
(11am-2pm) on 10th St between L and N Sts."



"Davina and I have our official marriage license from the state as do
hundreds of same-sex couples...it's the same document that all other
legally married couples receive to prove they are married.," said McKay.
"I have legally married the woman of my dreams and I can't tell you how
happy I feel today. I finally understand that saying 'I have a song in
my heart.' I guess she and I will go to MA in May to throw birdseed for
other couples - I hope they aren't too mad that we got married before
they did."



What exciting times! We just never know what will happen next!



Here is my experience of the day, "I walked up the steps to San
Francisco City Hall for MECA's 5th annual "Stand up for your
relationship by getting turned down for marriage license" protest and a
friend ran up and said "There won't be a demonstration," and I thought
-what happened - did we not get the permit or something? and he said
"No, there is no protest because they are letting us marry."



And at that exact moment I saw Phyllis with her marriage certificate in
her hand and I went running over to her and started crying with joy.
How beautiful that she and Del - our founding mothers of the movement -
were able to live to see this glorious day and serve as the first
legally married same-sex couple in the United States.



The day was a whirlwind. Major kudos to Mark Leno and his unbelievable
stamina as he married couple after couple without rest in the rotunda
the entire afternoon. I've heard that County Assessor Mabel Teng has
vowed to keep the office open until 2am tonight and personally marry
everyone who comes in until she drops. Thank you to our straight ally
Gavin Newsom - his message is so powerful and clear "Read the CA
Constitution - there is no argument, not letting same-sex couples marry
is discrimination and it's wrong." He is a rising star of the
Democratic party and his action confirms that the winds of change are in
full gust and blowing our way for good. He will always be remembered as
a friend and history will prove his action just and on the right side of
U.S. History.



There were lots of friends pouring into City Hall the whole day with
their partners - Toni Broadus from EQCA had the full-on bride glow - she
and Janice were just beaming with joy. Ellen and Shelly rushed down
from Davis to legally marry after 30 years together - Sharon Smith (the
surviving widow of Diane Whipple) and her wife Michelle and their two
beautiful new babies Kennedy and Chase were there to witness their moms'
marriage - bi-national couple Ramona and Arzu Gatto, mothers of Marina
Gatto, showed up this morning at 5:30am with blankets to be sure they
were the first in line for licenses this morning - it was...how can I
put it in words - priceless -dreamlike.



It is sweet moments like these that gives meaning to the larger struggle
and shows us the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel - I have the
marriage certificate on my door today at work - my law firm is throwing
me an impromptu wedding shower (firm-wide 200 attorneys) this afternoon
and I have more hope in my heart than ever that we will win this fight
and soon!



These are thrilling heady times that we will tell our children about in
10 years as they stare incredulous that there was ever a time when
same-sex couples couldn't get married.



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