06/10/2008
Lesbian Couple of 50 Years to be First Married in San Francisco — Again
Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, together for more than 50 years, were the first couple to marry in San Francisco in 2004, and Mayor Gavin Newsom plans to allow them the same honor this year.
In fact, they will be the only couple married in San Francisco City Hall after 5pm on June 16th. Others who wish to be married at SF City Hall will have to wait until the 17th.
Said Newsom: "What we want, the narrative coming out of it, is about them and what they represent - their story, their history. This is really where it all started."
The SF Chronicle reports: "The photograph of Lyon and Martin's wedding, at which Newsom officiated at City Hall, has been credited by some as being an iconic image that has influenced how people across the country perceive same-sex marriage. The two also were plaintiffs in the recent case in which the state Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal...Lyon and Martin first met in Seattle in 1950 and moved in together in a Castro Street apartment on Valentine's Day 1953. Two years later, Lyon and Martin, and three other lesbian couples founded the Daughters of Bilitis, which historians call the first lesbian organization in the United States. Lyon and Martin have been leaders of the lesbian community ever since."
Posted 9:53 AM EST by Andy Towle in California, Gavin Newsom, Gay Marriage, News | Permalink
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What a sap I am; this made me get teary-eyed. Iconic picture, indeed.
Posted by: Andre | Jun 10, 2008 10:11:01 AM
Would someone pass me the Kleenex?
Posted by: John in Manhattan | Jun 10, 2008 10:21:44 AM
How anyone could want to stop marriage for all, after witnessing these women, hardly knows the definition of marriage or love for that matter.
Posted by: Dan | Jun 10, 2008 11:11:39 AM
They are heroes of the gay/lesbian community.
Posted by: rhea | Jun 10, 2008 11:17:15 AM
Awww!! Beautiful!! U know, decades from now, our children will look back and find it absolutely hard to believe that we lived in an era when gay people weren't allowed to marry. Much the same we look back and are stunned by the fact that interracial couples were prohibited from marrying just forty years ago. Thanks, Andy!
Posted by: Shabaka | Jun 10, 2008 11:25:22 AM
Wow, they were there at the beginning!
Posted by: anon | Jun 10, 2008 11:27:15 AM
wishing many happy years ahead for these two ladies. how beautiful.
Posted by: daisy | Jun 10, 2008 12:32:47 PM
A very moving shot - splendid!
Posted by: Tom | Jun 10, 2008 1:11:35 PM
My God, that's beautiful.
Posted by: Marcus | Jun 10, 2008 2:16:53 PM
Another who got teary-eyed looking at that photo.
Congrats ladies!
Posted by: EireKev | Jun 10, 2008 2:53:21 PM
Aw, that's very sweet. Good for them.
Posted by: Chas | Jun 10, 2008 2:54:33 PM
Just a thought, but after a successful relationship of fifty years don't these two splendid women demonstrate more than anything that we don't need the institution of marriage to validate our relationships? An institution that the heterosexual community is abandoning in droves. Are we just rats desperately trying to get aboard the sinking ship?
Posted by: Peter Rivendell | Jun 11, 2008 3:47:10 AM
Sorry Peter,
I don't agree on this one; heterosexual marriage is as popular as ever (even if people are having multiple marriages). I would argue the proponents of gay marriage are seeking security in an uncertain world.
Del and Phyllis are getting public recognition/ public affirmation for what they've known all along [ok I copped that off of Maupin, 2007:3]... and after 50 years together, it's about time!
Many congratulations and best wishes gals!
Posted by: SeanR | Jun 11, 2008 8:00:41 AM
These two ladies are heros to me.
My partner and myself are getting married on June 21st in West Hollywood and I have these two brave women to thank for that.
Thank you Del & Phyllis. I love you!
Posted by: Tralfaz | Jun 14, 2008 2:37:40 PM
Brava, this is just fantastic! All my best wishes to Del and Phyllis! Much love.
Posted by: Kevin | Jun 16, 2008 1:39:28 PM
Peter,
The fact that these two lovely women are approaching the twilight of their lives means it's more important than ever to have the same legal protections a marriage provides.
Posted by: crispy | Jun 16, 2008 1:48:43 PM