Let Love Rule

I'm so proud to be a left-coaster this past week, if for no other reason than we share the coast with San Francisco. I love that Mayor Gavin Newsom, who came into office as the more moderate of the two candidates, credits George W. Bush with his decision to begin issuing marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples: "I was at the State of the Union,'' he said, "and I felt a real resolve on this issue.'' If you haven't heard the details yet, read here for the story of how it all came about.

And then, the photos. Oh my. If you haven't seen 'em, you're missing some beauty. If you have seen them and don't at least get teary, I don't think there's any hope for you.

Many more photos here, including a lovely one that the photographer has made into a poster, donating all proceeds from the sale to DontAmend.com, an group working to stop attempts to create a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Make sure you don't miss the flash movie. And have tissues handy.

I don't know how this is all going to turn out, but my hope is that this attention, along with what's going on in Massachusetts, and now New Mexico (damn it, Seattle, what's taking us so long!) will have a de-sensitizing effect on those who are opposed to gay marriage, whatever their reasoning. Men are marrying men... women marrying women... and look! The world hasn't ended. Our social fabric seems to be holding. Nobody has been hit by lightning. (Bad thought: please, oh please... this would NOT be the time for the next big earthquake to hit northern California... Bush would probably refuse to give any federal disaster aid on the grounds that it was divine retribution. shudder)

And who knows... in those photos of happy, excited, weepy, nervous couples, the nay-sayers might even recognize a little of themselves on their own wedding day, take a little step towards understanding that love is love is love, regardless of the genders of those involved, and think twice before accepting any attempts by the government to deny equal rights to ALL of our citizens.