|
Mary Gay Hutcherson (center) and her partner of 10 years, Yolanda Farnum,
Dale Dugger (right) and his partner Pat Victor (center) of North Stafford show their support for same-sex marriages during a rally in front of the City Hall in Fredericksburg yesterday. The couple applied for a marriage license at the Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk's Office, but were denied it based on state law.
MWC student Chalee Medder (left), a same-sex marriage supporter, listens to speakers |
Rally draws 200 for same-sex marriage rights
When Angie Abram and her partner, Karen Hurd, applied yesterday for a marriage license, they did so in a small room with three other same-sex couples surrounded by television cameras.
The Spotsylvania County couple, who have been together for five years, didn't mind.
They were making local history.
"We want to be treated the same as anyone else and be secure in our golden age," Abram said.
Not unexpectedly, the couples were denied licenses.
Sharron S. Mitchell, clerk of the circuit court, told them that "a marriage between two persons of the same sex is prohibited in Virginia."
The couples weren't dissuaded.
Instead, they joined about 200 supporters who gathered in front of Fredericksburg City Hall.
They were protesting President Bush's attempt to seek a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and a Virginia General Assembly resolution against recognition of any such relationship.
"We have been called to stand up and fight for our rights," said the Rev. Stephanie Burns, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Fredericksburg.
Kim Bickert, a member of People for the Rights of Individuals of Sexual Minorities, a group at Mary Washington College known as PRISM, said she wanted to publicly speak out against the laws.
"I believe everyone deserves equal rights, and our country is discriminating against its own citizens with these bills," she said.
So Bickert contacted Susan Stanskas, former local president of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and together they organized the march from Hurkamp Park to City Hall.
Fredericksburg is the first locality in Virginia to have a pro-gay marriage rally since Bush announced last month his support of the constitutional amendment, Stanskas said.
Donald Rallis, Mary Washington College professor of geography, spoke and noted that one argument against same-sex marriage is that marriage's purpose is to procreate.
"Does that mean we should revoke the marriage licenses of straight couples who don't have any children?"
Joanne Russell-Cavilee attended the march wearing a "Virginia is for Lovers" T-shirt and carrying a poster reading "Don't Bushwack the Constitution."
"I don't understand how we being together can affect anyone," she said about her relationship with her partner, Rhonda. "Would they rather us sleep around instead of being married, raising a family and being productive in society?"
The Fredericksburg couple, who have a daughter, said they are currently working on their power of attorney and living wills to secure their future.
Before marching to City Hall, the group gathered in a circle, held hands and listened to the Rev. Jeff Jones, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, pray for a day when the law will be inclusive instead of exclusive.
Afterward, they walked down Princess Anne Street, where Cris Elkins and Gene Hannold; Karen Hurd and Angie Abram; Patrick Victor and Dale Dugger; and Mary Gay Hutcherson and Yolanda Farnum also applied for marriage licenses.
As they reached the steps of City Hall, the crowd cheered.
"It's a very brave and courageous thing you've done to be here," Stanskas said. "Thank you for supporting my son."
"And me," came a shout from the crowd.
Then another: "And me."
"And me."
But not everyone agreed with the marchers.
About 30 people stood near City Hall holding signs that read: "No Gay Marriage" or "Marriage is 1 man united with 1 woman, Gens. 2:18-25."
"It's against the law so they can't get married and I don't want that in my city," said Mary Alice Robey, who brought her 17-year-old son, Jeff, to the demonstration.
Kathy Zielicke said she agreed.
The Florida resident said she and her husband, Gary, were sightseeing when they came across the crowd.
"We pray for them because they know not what they do," she said.
But the counter-protesters were largely ignored.
The marchers ended their rally with a traditional civil rights chant: "We shall overcome."
To reach JESSICA ALLEN: 540/368-5036 jiallen@freelancestar.com
