Portlanders Celebrate Historic Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality

Gail Owen and her friend Patricia Keeney celebrating the decision today.

Partners Paul Southwick (right) and Greg Darling (left) have been together for almost two years and have plans to get married. “There were a lot of happy, happy tears this morning,” Darling says. “This is an affirmation of dignity,” Southwick says. “It means we can live anywhere and be married and be recognized as equal. It means that our families and friends who haven’t been married can. It gives us more security.” But Southwick acknowledges that there is more work to be done. “We need to focus on bringing full equality to communities of color here in Oregon and across the nations,” Southwick says, “As well as employment to our military service, transgender rights, and reaching out to rural communities where there isn’t so much experience of lived quality.”

Michael Bevis (right) and his partner Mark Bayles, believe this day is all about moving forward.

Danya Morrison, the coordinator for the LGBT Health Coalition, brought her daughter Cali Morrison to show support for the cause.

Among the supporters stood Ryan Sauvagenu, who carried a sign that said “I have never been around so many idiots” on one side, and “God defined Marriage, Not the Supreme Court!” on the other. “No one should be getting married who isn’t a man and a woman,” Sauvagenu says, “Everyone here makes me sick.”

Rev. Nathan Meckley, Senior Pastor for the Metropolitan Community Church of Portland, was anticipating the good news for weeks. “Today is a day of celebration as a Christian, pastor, and gay man,” Meckley says. “I have been an out gay Christian for 30 years, and a pastor for 10. I believe that we are all created in the image of God. People should embrace that. All weddings are the equal, sacred work of God. But our work is not done. This is a day of celebration, but we are reminded of the racist violence which happened last week. We need to work to ensure everyone has equal protection under the law. My role as a pastor ensures the role of faith in all that.”

Sparkle Williams, a volunteer for Basic Rights Oregon, said that she and her wife have plans to be married now that it’s legal for everyone. “I am ecstatic,” Williams says, “My wife and I have been together for 10 years, and today we changed our status to engaged.”

Madison Howard, 16, came to the rally in support of her girlfriend, whose parents are not supportive and couldn’t be there. Howard, who was accompanied by her mother, Jennifer, says it’s a relief to know that she will be able to get married anywhere in America in the future.

Meg Cowie, a Basic Rights Oregon volunteer, married her wife in Britain, and when they came to America they suddenly weren't considered married anymore. Cowie says she joined Basic Rights Oregon in 2012, and hasn't stopped working for this day since.