Sadly, gay marriage pioneer Del Martin died on Wednesday August 27. Ms. Martin died at UCSF Hospice after a long period of declining health and is survived by Phyllis Lyon her wife and partner of 55 years. Longtime feminist and gay rights activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were the first same-sex gay couple married in California the first time it was legalized and Gavin Newsom married the couple himself on June 16th. Towelroad spoke to him about her death.
The first marriage occurred June 16th when octogenarian and longtime feminist and gay rights activists Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were AGAIN the first couple married in San Francisco (they were also the first in 2004), in fact the only couple married that day by mayor Gavin Newsom. They’ve lived together in San Francisco since 1953. Congratulations ladies!
Starting at 9:00 am, there were more gay weddings today at City Hall. The hellspawn bigots of the Westboro Baptist church threatened to show. If they did come to San Francisco, maybe someone gave them a bogus address. I was at City Hall this morning to add my own to a sea of friendly faces between the couples and the inbred Phelps clan (you just know there are some first cousins marrying in that bunch), and I didn’t see them. I didn’t go looking, but their signs are usually hard to miss. So they weren’t directly in the line of sight of the City Hall entrance where all the marital action was unless they showed up late.
It was a lovely day and there were a surprising number of religious groups of multiple denominations who were there there in solidarity. In addition to guests, press and gay supporters there were also a number of hetero-fabulous there to cheer us on. If only we had more like them and fewer bible-thumping hate mongers.
Although I am happy their venom didn’t spoil the occasion, I was kinda looking forward to spitting on a Phelps.
I’m not usually one to go all Joan Rivers fashion police on someone publicly, BUT… If it is your wedding day you don’t HAVE to wear a jacket and tie, but buy a shirt with buttons at least? C’mon we are supposed to know fashion. Don’t get married in your favorite old t-shirt. It may be alternative, but its still an occasion, especially on an historic day with press outside. I’d like to sic Carson Kressley on the two grooms I saw in mom jeans and an old t-shirts. Some of us need Queer Eye for the Queer Guy.
Also George Takei discusses his impending nuptials.
I just read an update saying that the Phelps clan were coming from 4-6, so I might still get to spit on one of them. You should too!
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