My California county today began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in response to the state Supreme Court decision that overturned a voter-approved ban on such ceremonies. I covered the morning activities for my employer and found some things to be rather interesting.
1. I asked two just-married men, after they told me they'd had a commitment ceremony five years ago, why they felt being married was so important on top of the commitment they'd already made to each other. The one who answered actually said "Hmmm" and paused for several seconds before answering. One would think that since they wanted to take advantage of what they called a historic day, they'd have a good reason at the top of their minds. Uh, no. He finally said that now they get to be equal with everyone else. However, as someone else pointed out, with civil union laws, they already were equal.
2. A coalition of groups that support traditional marriage held a rally at the county building where most of the same-sex marriage licenses were being handed out. The people who rallied were outnumbered by the media. Add the gay curious who happened to walk around to the other side of the building where the rally was being held, the participants were far outnumbered. One television camera crew interviewed a gay couple in the middle of the rally. Considering that the overturned ban gained support of 62 percent of the voters, there really wasn't much opposition shown today.
Some other observations:
-- I had a discussion with an intelligent young woman who thinks that the large majority that supported the gay marriage ban in 2002 will be whittled down by young voters who have no qualms with same-sex couples, maybe to the point that a similar ballot initiative in November, that would overturn the Supreme Court decision, will fail. In a state that in recent years voted to allow children to have abortions without telling their parents, she might be right. There's no doubt that change is afoot in this election season in a number of ways.
-- For all the hoopla, only about 200 same-sex couples were expected to obtain marriage licenses on the first day, an amazingly small number for a county of more than 2 million people. San Diego has a lively LGBT scene (which produced Andrew Cunanan, sorry), so you would expect more of a rush and a much bigger number, but it didn't happen. There was never much of a wait in the clerk's office. County officials eased the process by taking appointments, but walk-ins were also welcome.
-- I still think any such couples who want to be married better do so before November.
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How about we just keep the U.S. Open golf tournament in San Diego permanently, kind of like New York does for the U.S. Open tennis event.
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With all the reaction to the death of NBC News personality Tim Russert, it was terribly sad how the death of retired sports announcer Charlie Jones was overlooked. The affable Jones also died last week of a heart attack. He was a good sports announcer and by all accounts a good human being who helped the careers of several people with whom I'm friendly. Jones should also be remembered, and recalled fondly.
