After Ruling, Party Scene in West Hollywood  | News | Advocate.com

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05/17/08-05/19/08
After Ruling, Party Scene in West Hollywood

A celebratory crowd in West Hollywood spilled out of the city's bars and coffeeshops and into the street on Thursday to celebrate the end of California's same-sex marriage ban. Friends and families, couples and singles both gay and straight, flocked to a rally planned by the organizations behind the legal win. Standing under an arrangement of flowers and flanked by wedding cakes, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center's CEO, Lorri L. Jean, cheered the victory. "Today, the California supreme court said, 'Let them eat cake,'" she crowed.

Lori Jean speaking West Hollywood x395 (Quinn) | Advocate.com

With dozens of TV crews gathered and a news helicopter buzzing above a-closed-to-traffic San Vicente Boulevard, attendees strained to hear the advocates' speeches and see over the cameras, signs, and wedding veils. A kid-friendly crowd—many children were propped on shoulders—listened intently and smiled with satisfaction. Emotion was bubbling over.

Speakers, including West Hollywood mayor Jeffrey Prang, warned the crowd of the right-wing effort to put a initiative on the November ballot that could constitutionally ban same-sex marriage in the state. Volunteers passed around pamphlets warning people about the ballot initiative and how to take action against it. The activism didn't dampen most spirits, though.

West Hollywood celebrates CA marriage decision x395 (Quinn) | Advocate.com

"I've been waiting 24 years to make this proposal," Lambda Legal senior counsel Jenny Pizer said before asking her partner, Doreena Wong, to marry her.

The mood was joyous if somewhat sober, as if the crowd—which filled almost two huge city blocks—was in disbelief.

Equality California's board vice president, Cary Davidson, said he planned to propose to his partner of 18 years. "If he'll marry me, we will be treated equally under California law."

After cake was served on the speakers stage, attendees on the street were handed their own slice of cake. As the sun set over the visible Hollywood Hills, a relaxed block party scene took over.

West Hollywood celebrates CA marriage decision, sunset x395 (Quinn) | Advocate.com

By the time she wrapped up her hosting duties, Jean told the crowd she and her partner were taking advantage of the historic ruling: "We're getting hitched too!"  (Shana Naomi Krochmal and Neal Broverman, The Advocate)

Reader Comments

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  • Name: Dougal
    Date posted: 2008-05-19 9:41 PM
    Hometown: Melbourne

    Comment:

    Congratulations California, but it isn't over yet. The religious right will continue to try and block this and you'll need every penny you can raise to stop them. There's lots of rich and well-connected people here in film and TV, you need to wheel them out constantly to get the message across. And may I suggest, don't be reactive, BE POSITIVE - don't play the victim, tell everyone how much you bring to the institution of marriage, how you revitalise and strengthen it, how it will re-energise and revalidate THEIR marriages etc. etc. Cut the ground from under your opponents.


  • Name: Lesbian for Life
    Date posted: 2008-05-18 4:53 PM
    Hometown: where ever my MacBook Pro be

    Comment:

    it is time for rich hollywood, hello ELLEN, OPRAH, STUDIO HEADS, u know who u are ...to put their money on the line. this law will have a huge domino effect. don't let our human rights die here we have come to far. we do depend on the those who have made millions more, including our straight friends, to give to ensure that our message for a basic human right to love legally is heard. we are nearing the finish line ! Let's do it !


  • Name: brian
    Date posted: 2008-05-17 9:40 AM
    Hometown: heavener

    Comment:

    when od us okie qweers get to get married?


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