Several gay and lesbian couples disrupted business at San Francisco’s city hall Friday morning. The couples entered the city clerk’s office asking for something they knew they couldn’t get … a marriage license.
“We love each other and we want the rights that everyone else gets. I don’t want if I die that she can’t get my Social Security or come take my house because we’re not legally married,” said Linda Gates who attended the protest with her partner Betty.
During the demonstration, heterosexual couples, including Mario Caballeros and his fiancé Jessica from Richmond, were told to come back later.
“That just sucks. They can pick another time and another reason or do it the right way,” said Caballeros. “Just taking up peoples’ time. We have to wait just for them to get their little word out? That’s not cool, you know?”
Protesters sang and chanted until sheriff’s deputies ordered them to disperse. Thirteen protesters who refused to leave were detained for just a few minutes, then released without being charged.