Marriage Equality San Francisco
Happy Valentine’s Day! I celebrated the most romantic day of the year by attending the assembly of Marriage Equality USA supporters at San Francisco City Hall. Marriage Equality USA is an organization that has been fighting for marriage equality for many years, and today’s Marriage Equality San Francisco event brought together same-sex couples, influential speakers, organizers and media organizations. The marriage equality San Francisco movement has been through many ups and downs over the last several years, but the cycles between steps forward and setbacks keep getting shorter, and the momentum keeps building. As a City Hall wedding photographer, I had the privilege of documenting many same sex weddings during the brief window five years ago when it looked like marriage equality was here to stay in California. I have documented the weddings of hundreds of couples since – but the fact is, it’s mostly opposite sex couples that get married at City Hall. That is, until marriage for all couples is finally legal in California.
UPDATE: Since I attended this rally and wrote this post, marriage equality in California (and many other places) has come to pass! It was amazing to be at San Francisco City Hall for the first totally legal same sex weddings in June of 2013. Given how long and hard people fought for marriage equality, it’s really stunning how quickly public opinion shifted. I am fortunate to be able to photograph many a gay wedding San Francisco City Hall. There was definitely a time when a same sex San Francisco City Hall wedding was only a formality for many couples. They would have the ceremony in the building for the symbolic meaning, but it would carry no legal weight. Fortunately, due to the efforts of many brave, dedicated people and organizations, that time has passed. For good.
