As same-sex marriage goes into effect across California at 5 p.m. today, longtime lesbian partners Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin (pictured in an AP Photo by Eric Risberg) will be the first lucky couple to get legally hitched. Martin, 87, and Lyon, 84, longtime lesbian activists who have been together for more than five decades, have become symbols for the movement to grant same-sex couples the right to marry in the United States. The pair also were plaintiffs in the California Supreme Court case that led to the legalization of gay marriage last month.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom plans to officiate at the couple's wedding tonight, just as he did for them in 2004 (their ceremony as well as many others sadly were deemed illegal by court ruling shortly thereafter.)
Most cities and counties across California are waiting until tomorrow (June 17) to issue same sex marriage licenses. My sincere congratulations to this longtime couple.
3 comments:
its so infuriating that such a committed couple has been neglected by the system for so long
Its about time, these women dserve to be together legally,their relationship lasted longer than some marriages. I take my hats off to you two, congradualtions!!!!
I remember Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon well from 1973 when they befriended me during a lesbian mother court case taking place in Ohio. They provided me much love, support and encouragement. I will never forget them.
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