February 20, 2004

• So. Exciting!
• There is a buzz in the air. I wish I didn't have a conference call this afternoon, I'd go up and celebrate with everyone.
• Next? Maybe Chicago. Maybe Minneapolis. This WaPo article has more details. This weekend, the gay chorus I direct is performing in a choral festival along with two other gay choruses (the Fort Lauderdale chorus and members of the Washington D.C. chorus). One of the songs the combined choruses will perform is Howard Crabtree's brilliant and hysterical piece "Color Out of Colorado," which makes the point that gays and lesbians are just as much a part of the American fabric as any other group and are equally deserving of acceptance. Given everything that's going on right now, I predict a standing ovation on that number.
• it's funny you mention a chorus--the news had the SF men's chorus performing for the newlyweds on the steps of city hall there. It's wonderful that this is happening, but does that mean in all 50 states we have to fight in court to make it all for real?
• amberglow, it'd be worth the fight, don't you think? I'm shocked and amazed that it's happening in New Mexico. It's such a bizarre dichotomy of traditional Christian and super progressive folks here. And the best part is that Bernalillo (the center of everything in Sandoval County) is just this sleepy little town where not a whole lot happens. Santa Fe County is still refusing to issue them, our Gov. (who SWEARS he's not looking at the white house, riiiighhht) still opposes same-sex marriage. I <3 Sandoval County.
• They're all around us, man! [/Hudson]
• And the best part is that Bernalillo (the center of everything in Sandoval County) is just this sleepy little town where not a whole lot happens. When you say that, IgSlut, it makes me wonder how much of Sandoval County's gesture is economic. Although hey, any reason is good, I guess. Gay marriage as a tourist operation. Much like Vegas really.
• IgSlut: Are you going over to participate or just celebrate? If participate, let us know so we can use your wedding registry to send stuff. We monkeys like to fling stuff at our friends!
• Apparently we have the same gender-neutral wording as NM in NY, but the clerks won't issue licenses to us.
• Scott, thanks for the thoughts. I went to participate. My partner and I drove the 20 minutes to Bernalillo. We waited for about two hours with approximately 50 other couples. We cheered each couple that walked triumphantly through the court house with their licenses, approved and filed. We sang. Lots of couples held hands and said tender things to one another. Some couples brought their (extremely well behaved) children. Flowers were delivered to both the clerks as well as couples waiting in line. There were hushed cell phone conversations to parents and children alike with shrieks of OH MY GOD! from the other end. We were the sixth or seventh couple in line when the Deputy County Clerk announced they were ceasing to issue licenses due to a 'letter of advice', not an actual legal opinion, stating the licenses and marriages would be considered null and void. Frantic phone calls to the Attorney Generals Office confirmed that the letter was not the official ruling or opinion of the court. It saddens us both to be turned away, but we are thrilled that we went. It's only a matter of time.
• Here is a PDF of the advisory letter that was issued this afternoon.
• IgSlut, I'm so sorry to hear that -- you must have been so excited, and to be turned away when you were so close. I guess it's not too surprising, but that doesn't make it any easier for those that missed out. I assume (no PDF reader at the moment) that those who had already married were also considered null and void. Good luck, I'm sure it won't be much longer if things continue this way.
• Kellie, I'm sorry that you were turned away. It's INFURIATING that utterly inconsequentialities like what place you are in line determines whether or not the state sees fit to deem your relationship as legal and binding. I understand some of the reasoning behind the desire to legitimize: health benefits, tax benefits, sign of social acceptance, acknowledgment of equal rights; but just between you and me, the "sanctity of marriage" is horseshit. I imagine that when same-sex marriage is inevitably legalized that more relationships will suffer early breakups, infidelity, pressure to procreate when one partner would rather not along with all the other joys that accompany the "sanctity of marriage" than would have otherwise. I hope that there is some satisfaction in knowing that children two generations down the line are most likely going to grow up in a United States where this sort of idiocy is relegated to history books, much the same way that segregation is today. Be happy, regardless.
• That's so wrong that they turned you away, and illegal if other couples weren't...and answergrape at mefi had the same thing happen. What's next in NM?
• For Same-Sex Couples, the Morning After Meeting to Be Held on Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
• homunculus, we were there as well. Out of the 70 people in the room and probably another 50 outside only 3 spoke against same-sex marriages. one claiming it was not a civil rights issue. heheh... silly man. The County Clerk, Victoria Dunlap, rose and left her seat when one of the council members began the meeting by reading a prepared statement chastizing her for her callous actions. She never returned to hear any of us speak. Another amazing afternoon in New Mexico.
• She never returned to hear any of us speak. That is completely galling. You have my sympathy, and my admiration for persevering. Hang in there.