Valentine’s Day is a Happy one For Area Same-Sex Couples

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Given some of the furor and lead up to the same-sex marriage certificates of inequality granted by Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Freddie Oakley, I was expecting to see something more along the lines of a Valentine’s Day Massacre by the Christian Right. Instead, what I saw was a vast expression of love by area same-sex Couples, heavily tilting toward those of the X-Chromosome.

Oakley in a written statement said:

For four years in a row, I have followed the law and denied marriage licenses to same-gender couples who apply annually on this date. I will continue to follow the law.

But this situation, where following the law requires me as a public official to treat people unequally based on gender, is a painful reminder to me that we have not learned the lessons of courtesy, decency and fairness that we seek to teach to our children.

She concluded by saying:

Today I am protesting this discrimination by giving a special Valentine’s Day memento to people who request one. I do this at my own expense, in the exercise of my own civil right to call for a change in the law I must faithfully administer. I am the hand that must ultimately deny the application of some couples to contract a civil marriage, but I truly believe that the American values of courtesy, decency and fairness mean that if anybody gets a Valentine, everybody should get a Valentine.

The downstairs section by the County Clerk’s Office was jammed with a long line of people waiting to get their certificates. Outside, was a modest group of people who had come to protest this action by Ms. Oakley. Perhaps 40-50 people carried signs saying “Everyone has an equal right to Marriage, Just follow the rules.” Another more radical group carried more hate-filled messages, such as “God’s Word Says: ‘Remove the Evil Person (Freddie) From Among You.'” The ACLU had a counter-demonstration led by Natalie Wormeli and Paul Gerowitz carrying signs such as “Freddie Rocks” and “Who Would Jesus Discriminate Against.”

Those fearful of harsh retributions against Oakley, it appears would be able to rest comfortably. The protest seemed rather small and mostly tame except for the out-of-area group holding the more abrasive and hate-filled message.

All in all, it should be a very happy day for area same-sex couples.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

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About The Author

David Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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12 thoughts on “Valentine’s Day is a Happy one For Area Same-Sex Couples”

  1. Anonymous

    The love was with the couples and Freddie who conducted the “ceremonies.” Love was definitely not the message from the right-wing, hate mongers who tried to use scriptures from THE HOLY BIBLE to send hateful messages.

    I have never understood how people can use the very book that is supposed to show us how to love one another – even when we disagree – and turn it to a book of hate.

    Homophobics: please re-read your bible. The message is love not hate. You need to be an example.

  2. Anonymous

    The love was with the couples and Freddie who conducted the “ceremonies.” Love was definitely not the message from the right-wing, hate mongers who tried to use scriptures from THE HOLY BIBLE to send hateful messages.

    I have never understood how people can use the very book that is supposed to show us how to love one another – even when we disagree – and turn it to a book of hate.

    Homophobics: please re-read your bible. The message is love not hate. You need to be an example.

  3. Anonymous

    The love was with the couples and Freddie who conducted the “ceremonies.” Love was definitely not the message from the right-wing, hate mongers who tried to use scriptures from THE HOLY BIBLE to send hateful messages.

    I have never understood how people can use the very book that is supposed to show us how to love one another – even when we disagree – and turn it to a book of hate.

    Homophobics: please re-read your bible. The message is love not hate. You need to be an example.

  4. Anonymous

    The love was with the couples and Freddie who conducted the “ceremonies.” Love was definitely not the message from the right-wing, hate mongers who tried to use scriptures from THE HOLY BIBLE to send hateful messages.

    I have never understood how people can use the very book that is supposed to show us how to love one another – even when we disagree – and turn it to a book of hate.

    Homophobics: please re-read your bible. The message is love not hate. You need to be an example.

  5. truman

    Freddie Oakley is a courageous public servant and politician. Kudos to her and to the other elected official in attendance Mariko Yamada. Both have a strong and unequivocal commitment to civil rights and equal rights for all citizens.

  6. truman

    Freddie Oakley is a courageous public servant and politician. Kudos to her and to the other elected official in attendance Mariko Yamada. Both have a strong and unequivocal commitment to civil rights and equal rights for all citizens.

  7. truman

    Freddie Oakley is a courageous public servant and politician. Kudos to her and to the other elected official in attendance Mariko Yamada. Both have a strong and unequivocal commitment to civil rights and equal rights for all citizens.

  8. truman

    Freddie Oakley is a courageous public servant and politician. Kudos to her and to the other elected official in attendance Mariko Yamada. Both have a strong and unequivocal commitment to civil rights and equal rights for all citizens.

  9. Doug Paul Davis

    I just was reading Josh Fernandez’s article on the event. One of the people he quotes said:

    “She told me herself that she felt it was a bad law; that’s fine, she can feel that way, but as a public servant she needs to uphold the law.”

    What does it mean to uphold the law? She is not issuing actual marriage licenses. So she is not failing to uphold the law. Protesting the law is not the same thing as failing to uphold it.

  10. Doug Paul Davis

    I just was reading Josh Fernandez’s article on the event. One of the people he quotes said:

    “She told me herself that she felt it was a bad law; that’s fine, she can feel that way, but as a public servant she needs to uphold the law.”

    What does it mean to uphold the law? She is not issuing actual marriage licenses. So she is not failing to uphold the law. Protesting the law is not the same thing as failing to uphold it.

  11. Doug Paul Davis

    I just was reading Josh Fernandez’s article on the event. One of the people he quotes said:

    “She told me herself that she felt it was a bad law; that’s fine, she can feel that way, but as a public servant she needs to uphold the law.”

    What does it mean to uphold the law? She is not issuing actual marriage licenses. So she is not failing to uphold the law. Protesting the law is not the same thing as failing to uphold it.

  12. Doug Paul Davis

    I just was reading Josh Fernandez’s article on the event. One of the people he quotes said:

    “She told me herself that she felt it was a bad law; that’s fine, she can feel that way, but as a public servant she needs to uphold the law.”

    What does it mean to uphold the law? She is not issuing actual marriage licenses. So she is not failing to uphold the law. Protesting the law is not the same thing as failing to uphold it.

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