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E-mail StoryGay Bakersfield couples plan weddings; critics 'shocked' over court decision
| Thursday, May 15 2008 6:26 PM
Last Updated: Monday, May 19 2008 9:09 AM
Several Bakersfield couples are planning their weddings after the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday.
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Gay marriage supporters, from left, Amelia Cravens, Lisa Buckner and De Williams respond to cars honking support as they drive by the corner of Truxtun and Chester avenues after hearing news of the California Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the ban on gay marriage.
Amelia Cravens, a local gay marriage supporter, stands on the corner of Truxtun and Chester avenues to celebrate the California Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the gay marriage ban.
A crowd of local gay marriage supporters gather on the corner of Truxtun and Chester avenues to celebrate the overturning of California’s gay marriage ban.
“Twenty years ago it was something that never even crossed our minds that this could be possible,” said Carol Lair, who has been in a relationship with Colette Shewcraft for 19 years. “Now Massachusetts has marriage equality for same-sex couples and the earth did not fall off its axis. The foundations of churches didn’t crumble. Life went on gaily forward.”
But the Rev. Daren Pitcher, pastor of Ridgeview Community Church, called the State Supreme Court decision “disappointing.”
Pitcher said he believes the Bible is clear about defining marriage as strictly between a man and a woman.
“If ultimate wisdom is to see things from God’s perspective, then you would want to apply the principles that God has put forth into our home life, into our school, into our government.”
State Sen. Roy Ashburn called the court’s decision “shocking.”
“It is such a departure from the tradition of marriage not only in California but across the country,” he said. “It also is shocking in light of the vote of the people in California on Proposition 22. It was an overwhelming vote and it was particularly so in our area.” The measure was passed into law eight years ago.
Ashburn added that California law has changed “significantly” in recent years “to afford equal status under the law.”
Though Thursday was a red-letter day in the gay community, the fate of same-sex marriage in California is far from decided.
Some religious and conservative groups are petitioning to include a measure on the November ballot to amend the state Constitution so that it would ban gay marriage altogether. If the measure qualifies for the ballot and voters pass it, the Supreme Court decision would be overruled.
“We want very much to get married as soon as possible,” said Norman Prigge, who has been committed to his partner, Jim Merrick, for 14 years. “I’m cautiously elated. Cautiously, because I’m worried about its being nullified in November by a constitutional amendment, so I’m not holding my breath.”
Should voters overrule the court’s decision, “We’ll cross that bridge then,” said Whitney Weddell, chairwoman of local gay advocacy group Bakersfield LGBTQ. “Today we’re celebrating.”
A MATTER OF CIVIL RIGHTS?
“We believe that religion and morality is not an issue with this,” said Shewcraft, a board member of Bakersfield Metropolitan Community Church of the Harvest, whose main outreach is to the gay community. “This is a civil rights issue. ... When people say gay rights it sounds like we’re wanting something special. It’s civil rights. It’s us having the same rights as any other citizen walking the streets of California.”
Rev. Michael Gulotta, pastor of Living Joy Faith Center, said “This goes directly against the moral fiber that our country was created from.”
“I don’t see how (gay marriage) can be a civil rights issue because we’re dealing with a moral thing,” he said. “If you compromise in one area of moral issues, you compromise in others. If you can marry the opposite sex, what would keep you from marrying your cousin? Next you could marry your mother.”
Federal benefits, like Social Security and veterans’ benefits for spouses, would still not be available to same-sex California couples, Shewcraft and Lair said.
Sharon Rummery, local spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said USCIS is a federal agency and, as such, follows federal laws. “Until gay marriage is recognized on a nationwide level, we would not be able to honor petitions of gay spouses,” she said.
For now, Prigge said, “Much more important for my purpose is that marriage is the ideal way that I would have of telling my partner, and he, me, that I love him, that I am committed to our relationship.
“Marriage has always been the ultimate commitment of love and honor, and as romantic as that sounds, it is important to me. I, too, want to be able to say ‘I love you’ by saying ‘I do.’”