October 10, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

For Pride, Senator Kamala Harris Calls for a “Coalition”

By DOUG MONTGOMERY | For all his bloviating on subjects from the media to “covfefe,” Pride month went by without even a canned statement from President Donald Trump. But another Washington newcomer, California Senator Kamala Harris, has filled the silence left by the commander and chief with a video recalling her efforts to fight for marriage equality and offering the LGBTQ community her full support.

As June came to a close, Harris uploaded a video to her various social media accounts with the accompanying message, “Pride Month comes to an end – we must keep up the fight for civil rights for all.”

In the video, the freshman senator recounts her memory of Valentine’s Day in 2004. Harris had just been elected as San Francisco district attorney and Mayor Gavin Newsom had directed the city clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

That day, Harris went to City Hall and witnessed a celebratory scene: “There were balloons, there were people of every age, of every color – just joyous with the idea and with the knowledge that they could actually be recognized under law for the love they had for each other,” she says.

But Harris was not just a spectator to the excitement. “I was so thrilled to be a part of that,” she continues. “I remember walking up the steps of city hall and I performed the marriages that day.”

Although Kamala Harris did not officiate each same-sex marriage, over 4,000 marriage licenses were issued over a two month period. Then, the California Supreme Court halted the practice and voided the licenses. When a legal dispute challenged the voiding, the Court legalized gay marriage…for a few sweet moments. Then, Californians passed Prop 8.

“But here’s the thing,” Harris recalls, “we were not deterred.”

“We banded together, we marched in the streets, we lifted up our voices, and we took our case to court.”

When this struggle culminated with the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor that overturned the Defense of Marriage Act, Harris was on deck to mark the occasion. “And on June 28, 2013, I had the honor to perform the marriage of Ms. Kris Perry and Sandy Stier right here at city hall.”

The ceremony took place only hours after the Supreme Court’s decision was announced. Kris Perry and Sandy Stier were the first same-sex couple to wed in San Francisco following the ruling.

Harris draws from this experience lessons that apply to today’s challenges and reminds us that despite the gains in marriage equality, a threat to anyone’s liberty is a threat to everyone’s liberty.

She concludes: “Just as we have before, we need to once again build a coalition to fight for our collective civil rights and civil liberties.

It is all of our duty to join in this fight, and it is my hope that we will use the vigor and the energy that we feel in this moment to tackle next week, and the week after that, and the week after that.”

Related Posts

Kamala Harris Addresses Concerns Over Biden’s Debate Performance at Brentwood Fundraiser

June 30, 2024

June 30, 2024

VP Defends Biden’s Contrast with Trump, Despite Post-Debate Criticism Vice President Kamala Harris addressed concerns over President Biden’s recent performance...

LA Street Will Potentially Be Named After Anti-LGBTQ Singer

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A portion of Bailey Street may be renamed to the late Mexican Mariachi singer ” Vicente Fernandez Street’ – a...

New CA Law Helps With Transgender Deadnames

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

A new California law requires public colleges to update diplomas and records for transgender students who have changed their names....

Gerrie Schipske Enters Long Beach Mayoral Race

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gerrie Schipske announced on Thursday, December 30th that she would run for Mayor of Long Beach this year. The second-term...

Out Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia Announces Run for the U.S. House

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gay Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced that he would be running for an open seat for the U.S. House. ...

LACMA Spotlights Queer Black Artists & Subjects

December 7, 2021

December 7, 2021

“The Obama Portraits Tour” and “Black American Portraits” exhibits at LACMA not only celebrate portraiture, but also queer Black artists...

WeHo Wins ‘Most Business-Friendly City Award’ from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has been awarded the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s 2021 Most Business-Friendly City Award....

WeHo Announces “Hybrid” City Council Meetings

October 18, 2021

October 18, 2021

The City of West Hollywood will begin ‘hybrid’ in-person and teleconference city council meetings.  Starting on Monday, October 18th the...

Caitlyn Jenner Expresses Outrage After California Recall Vote

September 29, 2021

September 29, 2021

Republican candidate Caitlyn Jenner received only one percent of the California recall vote.  The 2021 California gubernatorial recall election was...

WeHo’s New Mayor And Mayor Pro Tem Sworn In

September 28, 2021

September 28, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has sworn in its new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore.  Lauren Meister was sworn in...

Newsom To Sign Into Law $50M To Help Performing Arts Organizations

August 15, 2021

August 15, 2021

Governor Gavin Newsom will be signing into a law $50 million in financial relief to help small performing arts organizations. ...

$3 Million To Train California Teachers On LGBTQ Issues

July 26, 2021

July 26, 2021

California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a final state budget that includes $3 million for LGBTQ cultural competency training for public...

Michael Mayo Finds Freedom on Debut Album “Bones”

May 23, 2021

May 23, 2021

Bisexual rising vocalist, songwriter and instrumentalist Michael Mayo will be debuting his newest album.  Mayo’s genre-defying, highly personal debut solo...

WeHo Announces David Wilson As Next City Manager

May 23, 2021

May 23, 2021

The City Council of the City of West Hollywood has announced its unanimous selection of David Wilson to serve as...

Stoli Vodka’s Harvey Milk Collector’s Edition Bottle

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

In honor of Pride 2021 Stoli Vodka has launched a limited edition Harvey Milk collectors edition bottle.  On Harvey Milk...