First hand account of gay marriage in Cambridge

There had to be at least a couple thousand people at Cambridge City Hall at midnight this morning (5/17) when they opened the doors to issue the first gay marriage licenses in the history of our nation. There was press from Japan, Italy, and a lot of other places. The whole front lawn of Cambridge City Hall was covered with lights and cameras.

Cars would drive by and blow their horns in support, and the crowd would erupt into cheers. A guy from San Franciso, a genuine hippie (!) passed out carnations. Others passed out roses and lilacs. The couples ranged in age from quite young to very old. One old couple had been together 44 years.

There was no police presence except on the other side of the street where Phelps God Hates Fags gathered. That group is really really strange. There were about 25 of them, and among there signs were:

"Thank God for 911" and
"God Blew up the Space Shuttle"

When we finally got inside City Hall at around 10:30, they handed us a number. We were number 58. The city had decorated the place with various wedding decorations and a huge wedding cake (donated by Hyatt Hotels), coffee, and apple cider. We were lucky to get into the city chamber where the speeches were delivered. A lot of good speeches were made drawing comparisons to gay marriage and other civil rights movements.

When our number was called, we went downstairs and the crowd cheered us. Everyone seemed so happy. The city had an assembly line system to process the marriage applications quickly. At each step of the, a city employee with a big smile would say "Congratulations!"

The best part, though, I think, was when we left City Hall at 1 a.m. A 1,000 (and I'm not exaggerating) activists applauded and cheered us as we went down the stairs. Someone gave us roses and people took photos. Those activists were greeting each couple the same way. It was both embarrassing and exhiliarating to be treated that way.

Just an incredible experience. God, I hope the rest of world becomes like Cambridge!

:bounce:

...nice to start the day off with a smile. Congratulations!

Best of luck for a long and happy union!

We've come a long way baby!

:hi:

:party:

That sounds like a blast. I wish the rest of the world was like Cambridge, too.

i'm very happy for you and everyone. :D

my hometown did me proud.

Wishing you many happy years together. Thanks for sharing your special day with us.

I hope you have great happiness today and in all the days to come!!

(And good for Hyatt for supplying the cake!)

to you both. thanks for giving us the personal view. We are so pleased for you!

all the best,
W_D and Mr. W_D

now if the rest of the country could catch up to this century. It will be a better place for all

DDQM

... and best wishes to you both.


:party:

:D

:toast:

Thank you for sharing this with us, Onlooker.

Your post captured the moments beautifully, and I now have 'cry for happy' tears rolling down my face.

Congratulations!

that exactly the sort of thing what would hugely discredit GHF, even among the other fundies

I am work viewing this and thus have to keep the tears in but this is such a happy day. Congrads and have a happy marriage.

I'm working in Boston right now. I wish I could head across the river right now and witness the celebrations over at City Hall.

Celebrating love--Is there anything more blessed in this world?

Congratulations!

I'm so happy for you Onlooker! I hope one day my brother can have the same wonderful experience!
God bless you and your partner!

Thanks for the personal account. May you have a long and happy marriage. :toast: