f a d i n g n o t e s . c o m
Saturday was gorgeous in San Francisco. Sparkling sunshine, crisp breeze, you could smell Spring in the air. I was in the Castro/Noe Valley/Duboce area, apartment hunting. On Market street, two large guys in their late thirties walked past me, hand in hand. The bearded one turned to the clean shaven one and exclaimed, ¡°It is a perfect day to get married in San Francisco.¡± Hearing it, I smiled. Earlier when I drove past City Hall, I saw the long line of people waiting outside the front door, ready to get their marriage license. Around them were happy citizens and tourists taking photos, shooting family videos. Passing cars on the busy Van Ness Avenue were hunking horns to sound their support and congratulations. Yes, indeed, it is a perfect day to get married. It is the best Valentine¡¯s Day present given by this city by the bay.
As I continued walking down Market Street, at the corner of Sanchez, a group of fraternity college kids stood by the lamp post. They were having a discussion among themselves, but purposely loud to make sure all can hear them. ¡°Why would they want to get married?¡± ¡°Yeah, I mean, what is the point?¡± ¡°Crazy xxxxx¡¡± They didn¡¯t seem particularly angry. They sounded cheerful.
Later that day, I met up with Gui and Matthew at Civic Center. The line was still long, people dressed in all types of fashion. From tuxedos to Halloween customs, many were holding babies. Balloons, flowers, and laughter were abundant. It is festival like.
I must admit, it is the most genuine Valentine¡¯s Day in my life, the entire city seems to be celebrating. Walking on the streets of San Francisco, one can¡¯t help but feeling a sense of hopefulness. No matter what happened in the court, no matter how GWB and the conservatives will amend the constitution. A city has spoken, and the people are listening.
For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair
All across the nation,
such a strange vibration
People in motion
There¡¯s a whole generation,
with a new explanation
People in motion, people in motion
For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
San Francisco's Gay Weddings Continue
Posted by Jean at February 17, 2004 04:46 PM | Category: Local Colors | TrackBackThanks for the first-hand account. I'd really LOVE to see same-sex marriages legal someday.
I never get it why some people will defend the "traditional" marriage to death. It's not like if gay marriage is legal, all straight couples' benefits will be gone or something.
Sorry for rambling. I happen to feel strongly about this issue. Thanks for this post again.
me too agree. Especially after my trip to the Provincetown in Cape Cod last summer. I can tell the genuine happiness from their faces. However, some inns there did not let me stay becasue I am straight, I hope this will change too.