The DML pays tribute to the individuals, couples and organizations that have contributed positively towards the realization of Marriage Equality.  We also identify the many who have worked so hard to hinder it's progress.  To our Heroes - we say thank you.   To the Haters - we suggest you direct your energies towards more pressing issues - war, poverty at home, gas prices, climate change, infant mortality, health care, hate crimes, etc. . .  You have the resources to make a difference.  There is so much power with love on your side.

Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter were two childhood friends in Virginia, who decided to marry in 1958.  Since their home state refused to recognize interracial marriages, they married in neighboring District of Columbia.  After returning home they were arrested in the middle of the night for illegally cohabitating as husband and wife.  Thus began their legal journey, which ended on June 12, 1967, when the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously that banning people from marrying based on race was unconstitutional.  Richard Loving died in 1975, but media shy Mildred, who died earlier this year, issued the following statement only last year on the 40th anniversary of their court victory, in support of same-sex marriage:

After Diane Whipple's horrific dog mauling death in 2001, her partner, Sharon Smith, was unable to sue the dogs' owners for wrongful death.  Many Californians saw this as a violation of Smith's rights and Smith fought for her rights, both in the courtroom when her suit was upheld, and in the legislature, which passed a bill giving same-sex couples increased legal protections and rights. 

After only 36 days in office, and ironically inspired by President Bush's support for a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Newsom ordered the San Francisco city and county Clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.  About 4,000 couples married in San Francisco in February and March 2004 before the California Supreme Court halted the marriages and later invalidated them.  With far less to lose than to gain at the time, Newsom took a stand that he was warned was too much, too soon - just like a certain Southern minister was warned as he sat in the Birmingham jail in 1963.  If not for Newsom's courageous action, couples who married while permitted in San Francisco would not have had the opportunity to press their cases for equality through the state courts.

Their courage to marry and to publicly come forward to fight through the courts for their civil right of marriage has made ours possible.  Thank to you all of you for helping us gain a right we never would have predicted in our lifetimes!

Money, organization, and expertise were the ingredients needed to make marriage equality a reality in California.  These organizations include the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality California, and Our Family Coalition.  These civil rights groups gave gravity and legal legitimacy to marriage equality.  If you find yourself with some extra money, there are worse things you could do with it than to donate to one or more of these groups or others that helped in the fight.

The widely respected and moderately conservative California Supreme Court heard our cry for marriage equality and concurred that denial of same-sex marriage rights violates the state's constitutional equal protection clause.  Of the seven justices, six were appointed by Republican governors; yet, four of the seven stood up on the side of fairness voting to affirm marriage rights for all in the state.  The same four later denied a motion to stay their order to allow same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses in all California counties despite the probability of an anti-marriage proposition on the upcoming November election.

We know the Governator has not been a consistent friend to us, not once but twice vetoing marriage equality bills passed by both houses of the California legislature, claiming such decisions should be made by voters or by the courts.  After the Supreme Court decision was announced, Schwarzenegger was at least consistent, stating that, "I respect the Court's decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling.  Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling."  Without Schwarzenegger's support, the upcoming marriage ban amendment does not have its ultimate cheerleader, which, we hope, will help doom it in the upcoming election.

Besides producing iconic denim jeans and providing a livelihood for one of your hosts, Levi Strauss and Co. was the only corporation to file a friend of the court brief with the California Supreme Court in support of marriage equality.

We know our journey has been a journey we have not walked alone, but with the love and support of those we are related to through DNA or spirit.  We thank them for supporting us in our efforts to enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as married couples as our straight sisters and brothers have long enjoyed.