Going to the Chapel of Love - - - Again!
June 23, 2008
Tomorrow D and I are heading over to San Francisco for our appointment at City Hall to hand over our cash and a completed application form in exchange for one state-recognized marriage license.
As an ordained member of the clergy I’ve officiated at several marriages over the past few years and one of the main behind the scene tasks for the officiant is to take charge of the marriage license. I’d take it from the couple at the rehearsal, bring it with me the next day to the wedding, gather the signatures from the bride and groom and witness(es), verify all the information to be correct and in the right color ink (black not blue), add my signature, and the day following the wedding send it off to the county recorder. The irony hasn’t been lost on me; that my signature on these marriage licenses was an essential component in legalizing the marriages and at the same time I couldn’t secure a legal marriage license for D and I. One of the many quirky realities that comes along with inequality but tomorrow that changes and that’s more than a good thing.
So the mini-wedding is on Sunday afternoon and if any of you living in the Bay area would like to attend, we’d be honored to have you join with us as we re-affirm our love and commitment to one another before God. Following the very brief ceremony we’ll be celebrating with friends, cake and other yummies. Just send an email to anita at sisterfriends-together.org (replace “at” with “@”) and I’ll send you a link to our evite page that gives all the details for the day.
Oh, and the little clay-headed lesbians above will be topping our wedding cake this Sunday as they did six years ago. They were crafted by Elayne, a friend from my Bible College days and replicated our original wedding outfits; D in her ravishing girlie-girl frock and I in my three piece Eileen Fisher pant suit. A dashing couple, thank you very much.
The beautiful D and her lucky-as-a-dog wife
UPDATE
When D and I went to San Francisco City Hall in 2004 to get married during the brief window of time that had been pried open for gay couples, the place was a mad house with crowds standing outside cheering, protesting and gawking and the line we waited in that day was like a joyously queer line at Disneyland, curving and winding through the basement of City Hall, up onto the main floor and down the corridors. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see a “If you aren’t as tall as this line, don’t expect to go on the ride!” sign at some point along the way.
Today was a whole different experience but no less incredible. There were no crowds outside or inside, just scattered couples, gay and straight, checking in for their appointments, filling out forms, or mingling around the hallways and taking in the moment. What a moment. The volunteer staff was delightful; all of them congratulatory and genuinely happy to be participating and everything was well organized, efficient and friendly. Thank you volunteers and City Hall officials, and Mayor Gavin Newsom, I could just pinch your cheeks, you handsome straight man you.
I took a few photos outside City Hall and in the breathtaking rotunda space (where we had our civil ceremony in 2004) and have them posted in an album at our Flickr account. San Francisco City Hall today but coming to a City Hall near you one day. Believe it!
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Posted in Marriage
June 24th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Congratulations to you and D!
My partner and I, living in the backward state of Virginia with its hateful Affirmation of Marriage Act, are terribly envious of but equally happy for you both.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Congrats, you two! Have a wonderful time restating your vows and making it legally recognized.
I only wish I could be there.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Anita,
Blessings aplenty to you and D!!!
I am really exited for you and everyone there in California!
We can only hope for the same here, someday,…in Good ‘Ole New York State!!(soon???!)
God Bless!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:00 am
LOVE THE FIGURES!!!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Thanks all for every good blessing! They’re all appreciated as D and I head out the door this morning in a few minutes for our appointment. I should have a post up sometime tonight with a reflection on Jeremiah.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Oooooooo……..so excited for you two! Wish we could be there! Blessings and much love to you both!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:39 am
A.C. and D, am happy for you both. I know the paper doesn’t change what already exists and is very real between you.. and yet I know what the paper means too.
Again, so very thankful to live in a country that recognizes that. Am praying for you both as you walk through this open door once again. Blessings, Depth, Blessings, Depth, more and more and more. 
Can’t wait to see a picture of the special day.
June 24th, 2008 at 8:40 am
oh and those are some great figures!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Anita–Wishing you both nothing but the best.
C
June 24th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
What a cute couple you make!! Thanks for adding the photo.
June 25th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Congrats to you both! I’m happy for you.
That’s an amazing-looking building btw.
June 25th, 2008 at 4:50 am
As my partner would say, “Mazel Tov!” Hope you get to keep it legal.
I am friends with two couples who will be in San Francisco for the West Coast premiere of “Menopausal Gals Gone Wild” at the SF GLBT film fest (shameless plug). They’ll be getting married, too….only to come home to Florida where it is not only banned in statute, but the meanies want the ban made more permanent, and more far-reaching, in the state Constitution. Pray for all of us living in less-enlightened places. And I will raise a glass for you and D!
June 25th, 2008 at 11:32 am
“The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious(kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace(tranquility of heart and life continually). Numbers 6 [AMP]
May His smile of approval light up the day till y’all need sunglasses!
June 30th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Sorry to be adding my 2 cents so late, but I am truly glad that the two of you can once again go and make it “legal” but I know that little piece of paper doesn’t add anything to your love and devotion. That being said, I am jumping and rejoicing for you both. God Bless you both with many more happy years.