Washington, D.C. -
Thousands of people demonstrated in cities large and small across America Saturday demanding the right to marry.
Hundreds of gay marriage supporters crowded Seattle's Westlake Park on Saturday, decrying talk of a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
In Atlanta, more than 600 people braved the rain Saturday to rally outside the state Capitol in opposition of a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriages. A Georgia Senate committee on Wednesday approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution to define marriage as only a union between a man and a woman.
About three dozen same-sex couples exchanged vows at Philadelphia's LOVE Park on Saturday as part of a "mass commitment ceremony" organized by the local branch of the Metropolitan Community Church.
Nearly 2,000 gay-rights supporters gathered around the east steps of Denver's city hall today to decry federal efforts to outlaw same-sex marriage. The Valentine’s Day rally attracted dozens of politicians, including Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
“Allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, I’m pleased to say, will not impact the sanctity of my marriage,” said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver.
“Any married couple which thinks that legalizing gay marriage will hurt their relationship needs a marriage counselor,” she said to a cheering crowd.
In Chicago, the Anti-Bashing Network rallied Saturday against a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage outside Cardinal Francis George's residence.
Cardinal Francis George later released statement concerning gay marriage: “The Catholic Church opposes anyone who would attack, punish, or demean anyone because of his or her homosexual orientation. However, it is a very great leap to move from respect for and acceptance of homosexual individuals to a demand that sexual relations of the same sex be treated as the equivalent of marriage, morally and legally.
Nevertheless, Mayor Richard M. Daley said he expected gay marriages to eventually be allowed in Chicago.
When asked by a local radio station whether there should be gay marriages in Chicago, Daley said, "The county clerk should be able to marry these people. I think it will be allowed."
by Doreen Brandt
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2004
Hundreds of gay marriage supporters crowded Seattle's Westlake Park on Saturday, decrying talk of a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
In Atlanta, more than 600 people braved the rain Saturday to rally outside the state Capitol in opposition of a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriages. A Georgia Senate committee on Wednesday approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution to define marriage as only a union between a man and a woman.
About three dozen same-sex couples exchanged vows at Philadelphia's LOVE Park on Saturday as part of a "mass commitment ceremony" organized by the local branch of the Metropolitan Community Church.
Nearly 2,000 gay-rights supporters gathered around the east steps of Denver's city hall today to decry federal efforts to outlaw same-sex marriage. The Valentine’s Day rally attracted dozens of politicians, including Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
“Allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, I’m pleased to say, will not impact the sanctity of my marriage,” said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver.
“Any married couple which thinks that legalizing gay marriage will hurt their relationship needs a marriage counselor,” she said to a cheering crowd.
In Chicago, the Anti-Bashing Network rallied Saturday against a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage outside Cardinal Francis George's residence.
Cardinal Francis George later released statement concerning gay marriage: “The Catholic Church opposes anyone who would attack, punish, or demean anyone because of his or her homosexual orientation. However, it is a very great leap to move from respect for and acceptance of homosexual individuals to a demand that sexual relations of the same sex be treated as the equivalent of marriage, morally and legally.
Nevertheless, Mayor Richard M. Daley said he expected gay marriages to eventually be allowed in Chicago.
When asked by a local radio station whether there should be gay marriages in Chicago, Daley said, "The county clerk should be able to marry these people. I think it will be allowed."
by Doreen Brandt
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2004
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
