In recent years we’ve heard people refer to Valentine’s Day as Singles Awareness Day and in a strange sort of way, that’s what Thursday was for hundreds of same-sex couples. A holiday that reminds them that in the eyes of the government, they are single. Which is why gay people from all over Los Angeles County flocked to the Beverly Hills courthouse on Thursday to request a marriage license.

Gay couples and dozens of protesters gathered at the courthouse in Beverly Hills with a celebration cake, chanted for equal rights and walked into the courthouse to request a marriage license with the hope of raising public awareness.

Back in 2004, Rev. Troy Perry and his life partner Phillip Ray DeBlieck along with Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, filed a lawsuit as they were denied a license to marry.

That same year Attorney at Law Gloria Allred argued the case before Judge Richard Kramer in San Francisco where the case was transferred and consolidated with other similar cases filed afterwards.

Finally on March of 2005 Gloria and her clients won the case but the California Court of Appeals reversed the decision. “Both couples have been in loving, committed, long-term stable relationships,” Allred said. “They were seeking all of the legal rights and responsibilities which the law recognizes in marriage. Unfortunately, Los Angeles County has denied them the right to marry the person of their choice.”

Gay marriage has certainly had a tumultuous history, but it’s the little victories along the way that seem to have gotten our community closer and closer to their goal. Perhaps that’s why gay couples and their supporters gathered Thursday at the courthouse — one more time for equality, the lifeblood of the gay rights movement. — to make their intentions clear to to a dominant culture.

As couples apply for their licenses they are handed a flier “NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: California State Law permits the County Clerk to issue a marriage license only to an unmarried male and an unmarried female. Change to this law can only be approved by the State Legislature and the Governor.”

“We are going to apply based on the principle that we are being denied,” said a man named Maurice who was present with his partner. Mary and Renee were also present to make their relationship legal on Valentine’s Day. Dozens and dozens of couples walked into the license room just to be denied for being same-sex couples.

The demonstration happens every year in front of the courthouse; some folks were saying “ today will be the last time.”

Comment:

Do you feel that displays like these help, hinder, or do nothing for the civil rights movement? Leave your comment below by typing in the “Reply Here” box.

Tags:Beverly Hills Courthouse, Diane Olson, Phillip Ray DeBlieck, Rev. Troy Perry, Robin Tyler, same-sex marriage, the freedom to marry, Valentine's Day

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Dafne Nesti is a regular writer of women and gay rights issues. Dafne Nesti was born in Milan, Italy. In Milan she studied several years at a number of art schools, school for comic books and graphic arts, and a school of cartoon animation. Dafne’s education and expertise includes knowledge of the literary arts. Having great experience showing her artwork in art shows throughout Southern California and Italy Dafne also works as a local writer. Dafne has a passion for the arts and animal causes.
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