LOOK: Happy 10th Anniversary To The Marriages That Started It All
LOOK: Happy 10th Anniversary To The Marriages That Started It All
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Oh, how far we've come.
Ten years ago today, San Francisco issued the United States' first same-sex marriage licenses -- a move then-mayor Gavin Newsom ordered of the city clerk after President George W. Bush declared his stance against them in his State of the Union address. The marriages were annulled by a Supreme Court ruling four months later, but the landmark event set the stage for the national fight for marriage equality that's still blazing forward.
Today, 17 states have legalized same-sex marriage. Here's a look back at the some of the images of love that first paved the way:
"I took an oath of office to bear truth, faith and allegiance to the constitution of the state of California, and there is nothing in that constitution that says that I have the right to discriminate against people on any basis ... And I simply won't do that," he said in 2004. "And if that means my political career ends, so be it."
Approximately 4,000 couples came from around the country to register for marriage forms in San Francisco.Deputy Marriage Commissioner D.J. Dull, left, officiates Rich Walker, center, and Brad Chilcoat's marriage at City Hall on Feb. 15, 2004.When California legalized gay marriage four years later, Martin and Lyon pulled out their original wedding pantsuits and became the first same-sex couple married in San Francisco, two months before Martin's death.
Hyde, left and Dawn Revilla strike a pose following their City Hall nuptials on Feb. 17, 2004.
Newsom is currently serving as lieutenant governor of California.
See more pictures from the 2004 event the collaborative 'Winter of Love' Pinterest board Newsom set up for the anniversary.
