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Same-sex marriages celebrated
By MARTÍN E. MARTÍNEZ / Vida En El Valle
(Published Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 08:46AM)
SACRAMENTO -- Norberto Laboy and Allan Brauer smiled and looked happy, but nervous at the same time, on what they considered the most important day of their lives.
The most exciting moment came when the Sacramento City Clerk judge asked them if they were willing to join their lives in marriage and respect one another for the rest of their lives. They answered, "I do," both unable to contain their tears.
"It seems like, I can't believe it," said Laboy, 56, originally from Puerto Rico. "I had to wait 10 years to take this step in my life, and now I can finally say that my partner and I did it: now we will live together forever."
Roberto and Allan were just one of dozens of gay and lesbian couples who went to the city clerk's offices early on the morning of June 17, the first day California allowed legal marriage of same-sex partners.
"I have lived with my partner for a long time and we have done so as "domestic partners," but what we really wanted was be together legally, that was our dream and today it came true. When we heard that California legalized gay marriage, it was the happiest moment of our lives, and we believe that is something we've deserved for a long time," said Laboy, who was accompanied by his sister Sandra.
Adrian Ochoa, 18, concurred with Laboy.
"I do not understand why there is so much resistance to legalize gay marriage in the country if this is just a matter of feelings, of love. Two people who want to be together have to be respected and deserve to live together legally," said Ochoa, who married her partner Orval, 26.
On May 15, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that the California Supreme Court had declared gay marriages legal in California, a decision the governor supported because he believes it's a good thing for the community and the local economy.
"I think that a marriage is something between a man and a woman. But that's my opinion. I don't want to force that opinion on anyone," Schwarzenegger said. "So I respect that opinion, and I think we should live with that and everyone should move forward in the right way."
"I'm wishing everyone good luck with their marriages, and I hope that California's economy is booming because everyone is going to come here and get married," Schwarzenegger added. "I think all of this is great."
Previously, Schwarzenegger had vetoed two similar initiatives to legalize same-sex marriage. This time the governor requested the proposal not be included on the November ballot. Opponents of gay marriages are preparing an initiative to ban same-sex marriages.
Many of the couples waiting their turn to be called to appear before the clerk carried banners expressing support for legalization.
"Love is love. Period." "It's OK, it's just love," said some banners.
But in front of the office, a group of protesters shouted curses at the marrying couples while others read verses from the Bible.
"These people who are here will destroy future generations, destroy sacred scriptures that say men should multiply. Matrimony should be only between a man and a woman, the rest goes against God and His commandments," said Florin Ciuriuc, leader of the Slavic community in Sacramento
He added that Schwarzenegger must reversed its decision because, besides going against God, it is also against the constitution.
"This is something completely illegal. He (Schwarzenegger) is a family man with wife and children and therefore understands matrimony and the commandments. Hopefully he'll fix this with respect for the will of the community."
Sacramento archbishop Jaime Soto criticized the court's decision to approve same-sex marriages, stating that it violates human nature and God's doctrines.
"No government can change the irrevocable order which God has inscribed in our nature," Soto said in a meeting prior to the Supreme Court's decision. "The sacred union of a man and woman is for the sake of creating a family. Our own values and vision about the family are, in effect, now deemed private. Yet, the gospel we preach and the gospel we are called to live is a gospel of life. It is a gospel that says 'yes' to life. Our 'no' to same sex unions is defined by our 'yes' to human life as God created it."
He added that the church can not support something that ultimately is harmful to human life and society.
California Latino political opinions are divided on the issue.
Assemblymember Kevin de León, the Democrat's assistant majority leader, said he is very pleased with the decision to approve gay and lesbian marriage, as to do otherwise would violate the basic right of freedom.
"I am very pleased that this conservative court today recognized the basic human right of marriage and that our current statutory scheme prohibiting same sex marriage violates that core right and liberty," de León said.
He said that his congratulations go out to the men and women who have been waging the battle for the right to marry and hopes voters will reject the initiative campaign designed to deny gay couples their rights.
Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, who was in city clerk's offices congratulating the couples, said that she knows the subject is very controversial but the government is doing the right thing.
"This is an historical day," she said. "This is a civil right debate and I think this is good for couples and for the State," Fargo said, who married a couple outside City Hall.
