Posted on 10/19/2008 10:40:30 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Starting this week, San Francisco City Hall will be expanding its wedding hours to accommodate the rush of gay and lesbian couples nervous about the outcome of the Nov. 4 election.
"We've been together for 13 years," said Ana Solomon of San Leandro, who came in last week to marry her partner, Joan Joosten. They're among the many couples who have been coming into the city to tie the knot before Californians vote on Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that would slam the door shut on same-sex marriages.
"I have to admit," Joosten said, "the idea of the ban passing lighted a fire under us."
The number of same-sex weddings at City Hall had been steadily dropping since gay and lesbian marriages first became legal May 15. In recent weeks that has changed, with 1,208 same-sex couples signing up for license appointments through the end of October. By comparison, in all of September there were 941 license appointments.
Much of the rush appears to be prompted by state Attorney General Jerry Brown's assertion that even if Prop. 8 passes, same-sex marriages performed before the election would still be valid.
Anti-gay-marriage forces, however, could still go to court and challenge that.
To accommodate the rush, City Hall will keep its wedding appointments windows open an extra two hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week and next. That means appointments can be made up until 5:30 p.m. and City Hall weddings will be performed as late as 6 p.m.
"I knew the day would come when things would be more fearful, and it's definitely here now," said Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who himself is gay and has presided over 96 same-sex weddings since the state Supreme Court legalized them.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
You’ve been together thirteen years, and everything was just fine. Now you will find out about divorce.
What will the status of these marriages be when Proposition 8 is approved?
They would no longer be valid. But leave it to Californai to provide the “partners” with special bonuses.
the strategy is clear - get as many “marriages” done before Prop. 8 passes. Then use them as evidence that the Prop. is unconstitutional because it “takes away” something...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Correct. Of course, the gay army here in L.A. like to spin it’s ‘victimhood” with posters that read : “what if you cannot marry the person you love?”
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