Fifty-Five Years
June 17th, 2008
The lesbian couple were the first to participate in a 2004 challenge of California laws against same-sex marriage, exchanging wedding vows only to see the ceremony voided later.
But on Monday, Martin, 87, and Lyon, 84, exchanged vows again. This time, California law — at least for now — was on their side.
“I think it’s a wonderful day and I have to thank our mayor for most of it,” Lyon said. “I’m very happy and very grateful for all of you.”
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who helped launch the series of lawsuits that led the court to strike down California’s one-man-one-woman marriage laws, presided at their wedding at City Hall.
Well-wishers cheered when the couple emerged from Newsom’s office after the ceremony. Video Watch crowd greet couple with cheers ยป
“When you consider these two women, who have been denied their rights for 55 years — put yourself in their shoes and you start to feel a little bit differently,” said Newsom, adding that allowing gay and lesbians to marry is about giving them the respect and dignity they deserve.
Fifty-five years. Fifty-five years together, committed to each other and to their lives together. Fifty-five years is longer than I have been alive. My parents weren’t even in grade school when this relationship started. My mother was in another country. Fifty-five years, through thick and thing, through good and bad. Fifty-five years of heartache, joy, exasperation, fights, reconciliations and love. Fifty-five years, and today, finally, their relationship gets its due. Fifty-five years together, and some people think their love is tainted and their relationship worth nothing and less than nothing.
But they are wrong. They’ve always been wrong and now, even if it is fifty-five years too late, the rest of the country is beginning to understand just how wrong.
Categories: Culture, General, Legal Issues | 2 Comments
