HRC Back Story

San Francisco was ground zero for much of the celebration around California becoming the second state in the country to extend marriage equality to same-sex couples. We've been posting reactions from California residents and HRC members and staff since the decision on Thursday. Today the manager and assistant manager of HRC's San Francisco Action Center and Store sent us their take on what the decision means for California's GLBT community:

So, last week there was a monumental descision in the California Supreme Court... Marriage Equality in California!

Now, I haven't worked for the Human Rights Campaign for long, and I've only been a California resident for four years now, but having been born in rural Virginia, and coming of age in Atlanta, Georgia, I can say I've seen my share of racism, sexism, and bias based on sexual preference. I've never been more proud to call myself a California resident.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm a 30 year old, white, straight male. Now, while this may put me in the majority in a number of cities and states, it definitely puts me in a minority class here in San Francisco. But being open-minded as I am, I recognize the disenfranchisement that minorities of all social classes, colors, races, creeds, religions, and sexual orientations experience all over this great country of ours. I also recognize that until this discrimination stops, we will never truly be as great a country as we are capable of.

I grew up with gay uncles, lesbian aunts, and numerous very close family friends who are in the GLBT community. I am very proud that I can finally look these people in the eye and say that I'm fighting the "good fight."

For years and years, I've had to sit by and watch while those close to me were denied jobs, beaten up, insulted, and generally treated like second class citizens because of their sexual orientation, and it made me sick to my stomach. But, as popular culture has become more comfortable with GLBT culture, there has been some clear progress made. From Billy Crystal playing a gay man on "Soap," to Ellen Degeneres and Anne Heche, Rosie O'Donnell, Jodie Foster, "The 'L' Word, Queer Eye For the Straight Guy and numerous other pop-culture phenoms, I'm starting to believe that Americans are becoming more and more in tune with the GLBT movement. I know that these shows and people, along with my personal experiences with close friends and family have made me more sensitive to it.

This brings me to our Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger. I'm not surprised that someone who has participated in the Hollywood Community for so long supports this bill. I am, however, surprised that it too this long for the bill to make it to the supreme court in a state as liberal as California.

It was a wonderful thing to see the celebration here in the Castro and all over San Francisco. I can't wait to go and see the lines at city hall a month from now and know that we are changing the future, and making this world a better place for ALL people.

Bryan Swift
Assistant Manager
HRC SHOP - San Francisco

In California we take a few things for granted, Sunshine, great weather, the ocean...

One thing that has eluded us as gay Americans is out right to marry the one we love. Last Thursday, a change was made, this change is something we should never take for granted.  Californians can take pride in the fact that we are the second in a line of fifty to understand that marriage is one of our true and basic rights.

Being a part of the Human Rights Campaign, I have heard many wonderful stories of love, hope and future.  From Sandra and Danielle who chose to include HRC gifts to all in their wedding party, Becky and Laura who were engaged under the Golden Gate Bridge on Thursday to Hans and Robert from Sweden, celebrating 32 years together, wishing us long overdue congratulations  and the best of luck.

I am proud to live in this great state, I am proud to be a gay man and I no longer take anything that I have in life for granted.

Shane Martin
San Francisco
HRC Shop Manager