Each year a mass wedding is held on the steps of the Bexar County Courthouse in San Antonio. But this year for the first time, the event included nearly two dozen same-sex couples, KENS-TV reports:
It was a first for the grassroots movement. They quietly filed in with almost 150 couples who had marriage licenses. All of them listened as Joe Sullivan, an ordained minister and Valentine’s Day officiator of many years, gave instruction as well as advice.
The ceremony had ended and the same-sex couples had exchanged rings, vows and kisses before Sullivan was made aware his crowd of newlyweds was different this time.
“They don’t have a license,” Sullivan said. “If they took vows, it really means nothing.”
But the same-sex couples said they walked away feeling just like they were married anyway.
The thought of gay and lesbian couples in the event did not seem to bother some of the participants.
“In this day and age — whatever it is — I know my religion and faith in God,” newlywed Mark Aguilar said.
The San Antonio action is one of dozens of demonstrations planned across the country calling for marriage equality on Valentine’s Day, according to GetEQUAL. We’ve posted a list of events in Texas after the jump. As far as we know, nothing is planned in North Texas, although a lesbian couple that had been turned away from a private wedding chapel because of their sexual orientation married in a public ceremony Friday at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas. Publicist Kris Martin sent over the below photo of the couple, Tina Shaft and Tiffany Fenimore, posing for a NoH8 photo after the wedding, and the Dallas Observer has a nice write-up about the event. “They are a wonderful couple with a very supportive family,” Martin said in her e-mail. “I felt like mother of the brides.”
TX Austin
Date: Monday, February 14th
Event: Apply for marriage licenses, or witness in support
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Location: Travis County Clerk’s Office, 5501 Airport Blvd., Austin
For info contact: Michel Diviesti, GetEQUAL TX, 512-931-4067
TX Houston
Date: Sunday, February 13th
Event: Big Gay Wedding Celebration – get married, wedding reception afterwards
Time: 1:30-3:00 PM
Location: Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 West 11th St.
For info contact: Mark Eggleston, 713-861-9149 x106
TX Houston
Date: Monday, February 14th
Event: At 11:30 AM apply for marriage licenses at County Clerk’s Office in Caroline St., witness in support; at 12:30 PM march to City Hall at 901 Bagby St.
Time: 11:30AM-2:00 PM
Location: Houston County Clerk’s Office, 201 Caroline St.
For info contact: Barry Ouellette, www.familymarriageequality.org, (281) 989-3400
TX San Antonio
Date: Saturday, February 12th
Event: Take “Kiss Me for Marriage Equality” pictures – professional photographer
Time: 2:00-4:00 PM
Location: HemisFair Park Arch at S. Alamo ST. & E. Nuevo
For info contact: Jay Morris, GetEQUAL TX, jaysays@jaysays.com
TX San Antonio
Date: Sunday, February 13th
Event: Valentine’s Dinner & March to the Courthouse – 4 free mass wedding ceremonies (wear black & white wedding attire)
Time: 10:00 PM-2:00 AM
Location: Luther’s Café 1425 N. Main St.; Bexar County Courthouse
For info contact: Julie Pousson, 210-880-7885
“If they took vows, it really means nothing.”
Well, that’s certainly how heterosexuals treat their own marriages…
@ Bill SO true! Our vows meant everything to us. Maybe they should practice what they preach!
I wish we had a demonstration in Dallas. The wife (I love love saying that word) and I would have been there. Our dresses are still out 🙂
It seems to me that the minister is saying that its the license (not God) that gives marriage meaning. I’m surprised that any minister would say that. He essentially endorses the idea that marriage is a state function not a religious one.
@Dan
Marriage is indeed a state function. No religious involvement necessary at all. You can get married at city hall or by a judge. Some European countries actually require you to do that, even if you want a religious ceremony as well.
Also that’s how it was for thousands of years before the Catholic Church hijacked marriage sometime in the 12th or 13th century.
One can only hope that what he MEANT was that he is actually supporting marriage equality, and recognizing the NEED for these couples to be granted state licenses.
Sadly, that is probably not the case.
Oh, he had to notice. His helper holding the speaker was staring right at the couples in the front row smiling. So glad to get married to the love of my life after 13 years. Now, let’s GetEQUAL!
At the beginning of the ceremony, when he couldn’t get us to leave, he said something about a “man and his husband”. Then he went into an unprecedented 10-minute spiel about Adam and Eve. Ri-ight, he didn’t see us. By the way, religion has no place in our government. “Equal rights for all; special liberties for none.” Thomas Jefferson. FINALLY: 6 TAX-PAYING BEXAR COUNTY GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES FOR THE WIN!