Current mood:	hopeful
Current music:	Something by Tatu

A day of firsts
Saturday night, in a rush of spontaneity and political activism, baxil and I decided to go to San Francisco and pass out Valentine's candy to all the newly married gay couples. I know other people have written about the events at the Civic Center this weekend with much more eloquence than I will be able to manage at this hour but I still want to get something in writing just to help me remember it. And to keep track of all the firsts. Here goes.

First trip to San Francisco: We left much too early and drove to the Walnut Creek BART station where I had my very first BART experience (which wasn't bad at all and quite user friendly despite my card getting eaten at the Mission Street station. Go BART!) On the train heading into the city I got my first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge and found out that you really can see the curve of the Earth across the span.

We landed at the Civic Center station and came up in the middle of a little farmers market directly across from the Courthouse building. As we crossed the plaza leading up to the courthouse we could hear the crowd cheering the couples as they came out and as we got closer we could see the protesters across the street. We could also see two Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence standing on the stairs. One was dressed like the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland and she stood out very well against all that grey stone and sky. (I've met several of Sisters from the Kansas City area and have always found them to be lovely and gracious. And fabulous dressers, as well.)

Crossing the plaza involved crossing through the protesters who had formed up across from the Courthouse, for the most part they were quiet - just standing with signs across from the celebrants. Baxil and I observed and applauded for a bit then chatted up the Red Queen and her companion, they told us the folks waiting to get married were on the other side of the building and walked around with us. As soon as we cleared the side of the building we could see the end of the line. It must have gone for a block and a half - all couples looking to get married. Some were in full bridal regalia, some were in tuxedos, a very natty pair of older gentlemen were in matching yellow raincoats. Bax and I both loaded up on candy, split the roses he bought into two bunches and began handing out chocolate and congratulations.

Some of the couple had brought their families and "wedding parties" and everybody was in a good mood, despite the rain. One lesbian couple had brought their friends, the friends' baby and a bottle of champagne. We split a cup with them and took each other's pictures. I had given my last roses to a pair of gay men a ways back from the champagne party, they asked to take my picture since I gave them their wedding flowers. It's nice to know that I was part of their day and am probably in the wedding album as the random stranger handing out flowers.

At one point in the afternoon I split off from Bax and headed around the building. I wanted to see what the protesters were up to and to get a bit of distance - literally and figuratively. From a distance the whole thing looked like a well-dressed street party. I've never been part of a movement in any shape (another first!) and I'm glad that this is what I chose to throw my support behind. There's something so simplistic about the desire to join with another person legally and in front of witnesses that it's hard to believe anyone would deny it. Most of the couples we saw had been together for a good length of time and were clearly part of loving families with everything that implies. The first couple to get a marriage license were a pair of ladies who had been together 51 years - that's a marriage in any book and deserves to be recognized. We should all be so lucky.

The protesters didn't share in the general bonhomie of the day and a few from the celebratory side of the street had crossed to discuss their point of view. I eavesdropped on a couple of conversations and the tones were firm but respectful. Both sides stating their points but neither side willing to be swayed. Everything was peaceful - I imagine that coming to blows over marriage wouldn't help anyone's cause. And the cops 6 feet away didn't hurt either.

Bax and I hung out until the Mayor's Liaison announced that they were shutting down for the day - which coincided with the rain getting heavier - so we got a restaurant recommendation and took ourselves off to Mission Street, then home.

All in all, it was about the most perfect Valentine's Weekend I could have imagined spending. Hanging out with a bunch of strangers committing radical social commentary by simply getting married gives me hope for human beings and the US in particular. I'm also a little jealous; I would like to commit a radical (but basically harmless) act in the name of love and politics. Over 1,500 couples were married this weekend, 1,500 new families were created, over 3,000 people had hot, legal, married sex and I got to support that in a very small way.

( I also played with the idea of asking Bax to marry me - strictly in the interest of solidarity - but ultimately decided the world isn't ready for a Kady/Baxil merger. All you mere mortals can thank me at your leisure. Tongue firmly in cheek.)