Marin Celebrates Gay Marriage Milestones: ‘It’s Something I Never Dreamt of in my Lifetime’

By Katherine Hafner

More than 100 people, many members of Marin’s LGBT community, gathered at San Rafael’s Panama Hotel and Restaurant Wednesday evening with a common purpose — to celebrate.

These words were echoed by many attendees of the event, held by the North Bay Spectrum LGBT Center to laud the Supreme Court’s landmark decisions Wednesday that overturned the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8. See some locals talk about their reaction to Wednesday’s news in the above video.

An air of celebration settled over the Panama Hotel patio, which was packed with more than 100 people who were surrounded by foliage and white summer lights. 

“Today’s a day to celebrate,” said Paula Pilecki, executive director of Marin’s Spectrum LGBT Center, to the crowd. “But don’t be fooled … there’s more work to do.” 

Bill Bombria and Christopher Morrill, residents of Fairfax who have been together for 11 years and are in a domestic partnership, attended the event on Wednesday.

“I don’t know how (the rulings) will affect us,” Bombria said, referring to the uncertainty that still pervades Wednesday’s decisions. “But we came here tonight to see familiar, gay faces and celebrate.” 

Bombria said the Defense of Marriage Act ruling not impact the partnership he and Morrill already share, however primary rights they would gain include more security after potential divorce or death of one partner.

“Basically the benefits kick in in the end … I’m not looking forward to collecting them,” Bombria said, laughing. “But it’s nice to know they’re there.”

Dorothy Webster, who lives in San Rafael, was wearing a rainbow bandana at Wednesday’s event. She said she and her partner of almost 20 years are happy about the decision because it is another step forward in making the United States a country centered around freedom and lack of discrimination.

She added that it is also a relief from a monetary standpoint. 

“If I die before her, she has to pay taxes on the property, instead of legal rights like a husband and wife,” Webster said. “Today might change that.”

Webster added that she and her partner are considering getting married.

In California, it will be at least another 25 days until same-sex couples can actually get married, but the waiting period did not faze supporters at the Panama Hotel event. 

Lorenzo Ersland, who lives in San Rafael and biked over to the event on Wednesday evening, said growing up in a small town in Oklahoma, he had to stay closeted for a long time, and never thought same-sex marriage would reach this point.

“To see young people so out and free these days … it’s phenomenal,” he said. “Laws are really changing.”

Ersland said he used to support equal rights without the word marriage necessarily, which he feels is a charged word. But he has since realized the importance of the word itself as well.

“Separate is never equal,” he said.

Laurie Welch, a Portland resident who is in Marin County visiting her sister, said she is now even more excited for her first attendance of the annual San Francisco Pride, which takes place this weekend.

“I was 14 when I was shocked to find out I couldn’t marry my girlfriend,” Welch said. “I’ve waited 36 years for this … I’ll never forget this.”

According to Marin County officials, the Marin County Clerk will begin issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples and performing their wedding ceremonies once the U.S. District Court lifts its stay on the injunction in place prohibiting gay marriage in California. That process could take a month or more, according to a memo to County clerks and recorders from the California Department of Public Health.

In November 2008, California voters approved Proposition 8, which amended the state constitution to provide that marriage is recognized only between a man and a woman. In Marin, voters came out overwhelmingly against Proposition 8 -- 75.08 percent voted no and 24.93 votes yes, according to the Marin County Elections Office. Opponents challenged the measure, but the state Supreme Court rejected the challenge in 2009.

Instructions for marriage ceremonies and applications for marriage licenses may be obtained in person at the Marin County Clerk’s Office, Suite 234, Marin County Civic Center or online. For additional information, call the Clerk’s office at (415) 473-6152.