Celebrating marriage By Tasha Neu Carin Canale-Theakston and Hillary Canale-Theakston of Mission Hills support taking a state Supreme Court ruling that upheld Proposition 8, a measure that banned same sex-marriage, to the federal level. Garth Howe and Michael Terry, however, oppose the idea because they feel the conservative majority in the U.S. high court may hold them back. Regardless of how people feel about the issue, the case will be heard July 2. Two gay couples, denied marriage licenses four days before the state court ruled May 26, filed the suit. "Who thought at this time last year we'd be here?" said Carin Canale-Theakston, who is not among one of the couples who filed the lawsuit. Carin Canale-Theakston and her spouse, who were married last June after a decade together, attended a gathering June 17 at Mission Hills United Church of Christ marking the one-year anniversary of legalizing gay marriage. About a dozen couples who were married in the past year joined others for the celebration. June 16 marked the one-year anniversary of legalizing gay marriage. It was banned in November once the Prop. 8 ballots were tallied. This June 16, gay couples met in San Francisco and Los Angeles to celebrate their marriages, while similar events took place throughout the state June 17. The event, arranged by Marriage Equality USA and California Faith for Equality included testimonies from two gay married couples and members of the clergy. The Rev. Scott Landis led the ceremony "celebrating the gift of marriage" and shared his experiences. An organization called Equality California is planning a measure for the 2010 ballot to revoke the new amendment. They also are taking measures to "win marriage back" by raising money and making plans to knock on 40,000 doors in neighborhoods where Proposition 8 was lost. Carin and Hillary Canale-Theakston said they feel the issue needs to be heard in federal court, even if it means more time. The Canale-Theakstons asked their wedding guests to donate money to Equality California in place of gifts. The couple also have attended marches and rallies, along with conducting a series of interviews for Equality California. Howe and Terry, together 10 years, expressed their frustration with the case being taken to federal court and the current administration's views on the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. "It should be settled in the state court," said Howe. More than 125 straight couples are boycotting marriage until it is legal for everyone. The informal boycott is being organized by unmarried.org. The Web site encourages couples to join the boycott, register their domestic partnerships, and with see a lawyer to protect themselves legally. Actress Charlize Theron and fiancé Stuart Townsend also have joined the cause and announced they will not marry until same-sex marriage is legal. In the meantime, Hillary Canale-Theakston is pregnant and the couple are expecting a baby girl. The two pray that by the time their daughter is old enough to understand marriage, the issue is settled and it's not so hard to understand "why she has two mommies." • • • Vox is the newspaper of the 2009 CCNMA-San Diego Multicultural Journalism Workshop. Return to index | See also: Vox on Blogspot