Gay Marriage Advocates Organize Nationwide Counter Actions on Valentine's Day

Gay folks still can't get hitched in California and many other states, but that's not stopping same-sex couples from requesting marriage licenses at city and county clerk's offices today -- Valentine's Day -- in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities.

Marriage Equality U.S.A. and Get Equal -- two gay rights groups -- have organized the nationwide "counter" actions, in which gays and lesbians are asked to visit their local clerk's office and demand a marriage license.

One such action is taking place today at the East Los Angeles Clerk Office at 4716 E. Cesar Chavez Avenue between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Attorney Gloria Allred will speak at the L.A. event.

"As we cheer on our heterosexual fellow citizens who are able to marry on this wonderful day of love," says Molly McKay, Marriage Equality U.S.A. media director, in a press statement, "we will remind the world that falling in love and the desire to marry the person you love is a universal sentiment and that all citizens should have the freedom to marry the one they love."

She adds, "Prop. 8 shattered that dream for lesbian and gay Californians, and every day it remains in effect real people are being hurt."

Get Equal Co-Founder Robin McGehee asks in a press statement, "What lengths would you go to in order to get married or to fight for the freedom to marry for those you care about? Would you take a few hours of your time to turn out for one of the events being organized next week?"

As the Proposition 8 federal lawsuit works its way through the appeals process, California still does not allow gay and lesbian couples to legally marry.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.

Tags:

counter action, gay marriage, Get Equal, Marriage Equality USA, Patrick Range McDonald, Proposition 8, Valentine's Day

We Recommend

Gal Friday

Do we need more visibility for this issue in CA right now? I thought things looked good before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal right now, and I'm glad it's out of the public's hands. I hate when this whole thing seems to be taken as an issue about "acceptance"...when it's simply about accessing a basic human right (as defined by the US Supreme Court). I mean, love gays or don't...just get out of the way!

Lauren

@Gal Friday Yes, we do need visibility on the issue of marriage equality because even when Prop 8 is repealed, all CA gays & lesbians will still NOT have Federal marriage equality and are still not receiving thousands of marriage rights, which they deserve as American citizens. In other words, we have a long way to go when it comes to true Marriage Equality in the U.S.

AndrewW

@Thomas: The people in Egypt are living under oppression - WE are NOT. We have plenty of ATTENTION. What we need are RESULTS.

These childish stunts are intended to raise money, not generate support.

AndrewW

These "actions" don't accomplish anything. GetEqual is in the business of raising money for their $100,000 salaries and they will say or do anything to get "attention." This attention doesn't change any minds and it doesn't inspire anyone to support us. It's childish.

We need to educate, enlighten and enroll people - not engage in meaningless publicity stunts.

Rose

Andrew, Silence will get us nowhere. Suffrage and African American rights were not won from keeping thier mouths shut. So put down your hateraid and speak up for equal rights, or get used to being discriminated upon.

AndrewW

By the way, Rose, nobody suggested silence. I suggested "smart."

It's easy to believe that protesting in the streets is helpful, but it isn't true. ALL actions should be judged by whether or not they garner support. Childish street theater does NOT.

Rose

Andrew, I was a part of one of the couples that applied for our license today, yes to be rejected. The protest was not "street theatre" or dramatic in anyway. Not all protests are some kind of dramatic show. What good would that do for the LGBTQ community? We made a beautiful statment, and sadly enough, as my partner and I were being declined for our license, there was a strait couple less than 3 feet that was being approved. It burned and felt so unfair. it was actually a very nice protest, no violence, (except a few haters and their comments) it was beautiful and romantic. The interviews were very educational and informative, so be sure to watch your tv tonight if your in the LA area, education and protests can happen together. Best of luck and Happy Valentines Day. Rose

thomasjcoleman

But getting attention is the first step before you educate and this will get attention--it got yours, no? Certainly all the "street theater" in Cairo proved that on a global level. But don't worry Andrew Anonymous, it's back to the future -- people are demonstrating all over the place and, even using their full names when they do so (unlike one "comentator" I can think of at the moment) -- and since they use their full, proper names we can be fairly confident these demonstrators know proper table manners, so you can rest easy and don't go and get a bee in your bonnet about it.

AndrewW

It's 2011, the world has changed dramatically. We don't make any progress by confronting people or trying to humiliate, embarrass or threaten people into submission.

We make progress by educating, enlightening and enrolling. We win when people agree with us and join us, not run the other way because of childish stunts.