Yesterday, more than 1,400 same-sex couples all over California tied the knot, and will continue to do so indefinitely. Along with taking some pictures of the scene in San Francisco, we filmed the newlyweds and their families talking about their love and decisions to get married. We even caught one couple exchanging vows! Watch the video to hear what impact California's decision to legalize same-sex marriage has had on families so far, in their own words. It's a very moving video!
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After seeing this video, do your feelings toward marriage change? Is it possible to leave emotions aside, and support a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage? I guess we will find out in November, when California voters get a chance to adopt or reject a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
Halston
By Malene Birger
David & Scotti
I admit, watching this video I couldn't stop saying, "AWWW!" Seeing the pictures is moving, but seeing the moving pictures? Priceless and compelling. Beautiful stories.
1Good for all of them!
2I am straight and was raised Catholic (but do not currently practice because I do not agree with the judgement of people that goes along with it), but I don't believe that there should be a marriage ban regardless of who you are or who you are marrying.
To each his/her own. If you're happy, then that is all that matters - and that is all that should matter to everyone else as well.
I hope that more and more states allow for this to occur - it is only fair. Props to Cali!
Oh, that made me get teary all over again.
I'm always jarred, though, by rhetoric about having the government recognize your love. That just seems like the strangest idea to me, getting your love and your relationship certified by the state. I liked when the last girl corrected herself and said, "actually they've already been married for 18 years."
I suppose I'd feel differently if it was something I didn't have the option to do. As one woman said, she didn't really care until someone told her she couldn't.
3Maybe I'm a cynic, but I'd bee interested to find out how many of these "couples for life" are still together in 5-10 years. I hear that phrase so often in traditional marriages, and I just chickle inside, knowing that a little over half will end in divorce.
4I totally just cried watching that, it was so moving! I sometimes forget that ball of mush that I am on the inside, focusing on the indignation or the intellectual arguments on the issues, but this is such a moving topic. My aunts went to CA to get married last time they were marrying people, but they stopped it all the week the family went out for the 'wedding' - it was really sad for them. They've been together over 25 years, and one has some health problems... I know how important that recognition was to them. They had an awesome 25th anniversary party this spring, but it is so hard to have your relationship treated differently and protested.
I don't think recognition by the state would matter if the state didn't recognize anyone - but to have been in a monogamous relationship and tied yourself to that person for life, but not be able to do it the same public/recognized way other couples get to, would make that something you want. To be treated like anyone else. To have the choice everyone else does.
5Undave, it's true that many marriages end in divorce, but now gay persons have the same right to wed, the same right to a failed marriage, the same right to marital bliss. It's equal access to the pursuit of happiness.
6Well said, janneth!
7aww, this video made me cry. what a wonderful day for all of those couples!
8What a great video! So cool that you got to be on the front lines of such a historic day.
9Doesn't it seem like opposition to same sex marriage is melting away quickly? Or is it just this week's happy glow that's obscuring the battle ahead?
10I don't know, but IMO acceptance is spreading in society in general.
Great video Liberty! Such a great day for humanity in its fight for equality for all.
11This made me teary-eyed. True love doesn't discriminate.
12The video is fabulous! Thank you for helping all these families share their stories, Liberty. I'm all weepy
13Awesome video Liberty!
14What a fabulous video! Watching this makes me so proud to be a San Franciscan and a Californian! I hope many more states follow suit.
15Oh man. Thanks a lot, Liberty. I have now cried at work!
16Weddings always make me cry. . .
I'm so happy that we were able to see this event
unfold! What a cool time in history.
17Okay, now I'm teary-eyed in front of my computer! It's so wonderful that these couples, some of whom have been together for over 20 years, can participate in something straight couples often take for granted. If Pam Anderson can get married and divorced over and over again (perhaps to the same person twice soon?) then a decades-long couple should be able to get the social and economic benefits. But we shouldn't hold gay couples to a higher standard. I'm sure there will be fly-by-night Vegas weddings that end in divorce. As janneth said, the point is that everyone should have the same rights — straight AND gay.
18I'm tearing up. It's about time! So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
19Yay! I am so happy for all the couples and the daughter with a tiara witnessing her two moms get legally married was so articulate. Let's fight the good fight to keep the proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage from becoming law.
Best wishes to all!
20So sweet! You can really feel all the love coming from the brides and grooms. I love the end to the ceremony is "Spouses for life."
21That wasn't a very Christian sentiment UnDave.
22I'm teary-eyed too. OK, full-on crying. What wonderful stories and an important step forward for equal rights. So much joy and love in these couples and families!
23Finally a step in the right direction. I'm all for people having their own opinions and convictions, but to impose opinions and individual convictions on others is unfair. To me it's no different than racism, I just call it "it"ism. Whatever it is you have, because of it, I don't think you should have or be able to... Congrats to all those couples I wish them many happy years!
24"Doesn't it seem like opposition to same sex marriage is melting away quickly? Or is it just this week's happy glow that's obscuring the battle ahead?"
We're still here, but can't we let you have your happy moment before we tell you all you're going to H377?
(purely tongue in cheek. I will apologize now.)
25Apology accepted, undave. Now why don't you go kiss the children goodnight and tuck them in. Sweep the kitchen floor while you're at it
26This is fantastic. I attended my brother-in-law's civil union to his partner last year and it was the most sincere, heartfelt ceremony I had ever seen.
27beautiful video. Congratulations!
28Wow, what a wonderful and revealing video. I love the scene of the vows, where the guy says that it's pessimistic to say that your wedding day is the happiest day of your life. So true and never even thought about it before. I welcome all of this new perspective on marriage.
29I am crying happy and hopeful tears after watching this. Beautiful video, Liberty! ♥
30Well done Liberty! And yay for California for being on the forefront of change.
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