CA: They do, even if the law says they can’t

Link: UCLA Daily Bruin

Excerpt:

Davidson Lloyd, left, and Tom Keegan exchanged vows in a ceremony organized by the Student Coalition for Marriage Equality and officiated by John Ireland.
Photo by Christopher Wu

 

As Tom Keegan and Davidson Lloyd declared “I do” in front of approximately a hundred spectators in Bruin Plaza on Friday, they provided a glimpse of a possible future in which same-sex couples enjoy full marital rights.

The Student Coalition for Marriage Equality created a lavish setting of purple and black for its Fourth Annual Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony. Keegan and Lloyd stood with their daughter, Connor Keegan-Lloyd, to exchange vows in celebration of their 31 years together.

While Keegan and Lloyd’s celebration was the highlight of the event, speakers such as the mayor of West Hollywood addressed the changing perspectives of the public toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender marital rights.

“I’m hopeful because people are changing their opinions rapidly as they are being exposed to events that educate them on LGBT rights,” said Mayor Jeff Prang. “The more people understand, the more likely they are to be tolerant and accepting of the LGBT community.”

[...]

Keegan said demonstrations from the public show government officials the need to change marital laws to be inclusive of sexual orientation.

“Politicians will support the issue if they think the public wants it, and the public will be more likely to support LGBT rights when they realize we are not just a sexuality, but people, too,” Keegan said.

Prang said he agrees that these types of ceremonies are important towards educating and changing the minds of Americans.

“This great civil rights movement for the LGBT community can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we all need to do our part,” he said.

[jw]