In May, California's supreme court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, and when the ruling was implemented 30 days later, people like Jeff Lutes and Gary Stein exchanged vows and signed a marriage license.
"There was something about looking into this man's eyes that I've loved for 11 years, and exchanging vows with him that was incredibly moving," Lutes said.
The couple married on a California beach with their three adopted children at their side.
"Our kids were thrilled that we got married, and it was really important to us and our family," Stein said.
But on November 4, Election Day, the state's voters approved Proposition 8, to once again enforce the ban on gay marriage.
"That was like a punch in the stomach. I felt like I was shut out from happiness," Lutes said.
Lutes, Stein, and thousands of other supporters of same-sex marriage nationwide took the the streets, signs and flags in hand to protest Saturday, including 3,000 at Austin City Hall.
Lutes and Stein, whose union is now on limbo, told their story at the Austin rally.
The Reverend Jim Rigby of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin said the happiness of people like Lutes and Stein should have been protected.
"That's what the Constitution is all about--life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," Rigby said. "We don't put that up for vote for anyone."
Rigby's support for gay marriage is at odds with the rest of the Presbyterian Church. It's also at odds with most Texans. In 2005, every county except Travis voted to ban same-sex marriages in the state. But Rigby remains hopeful.
"Texans are live-and-let-live conservatives, and things like inalienable rights are very important to us," he said. "Things like not judging, not picking on people are very conservative values, so this is something Texans should applaud."
After hearing Lutes and Stein's story, about 3,000 people applauded, but that's only a fraction of the state's population. To win in Texas, this family will have to change the mind of an army, but it's a challenge they vow to push forward.
"We're going to keep pushing and talking and fighting and loving people who misunderstand us, until we get fairness and equality," Lutes said. (Report by Heidi Zhou)
The moment the Proposition 2 votes were tallied, I decided it was time to move away from Texas.
With visions of the Bay Bridge & Marriage Equity on the horizon,
s0ul
Posted by: brothas0ul | November 18, 2008 at 01:13 AM