I saw this story of gay families and was touched by it. It took place in Washington state. Ahhh, the sign of progress!
It's called the Out in the Park Family Pride Festival, a gay-themed event that's been held at Wright Park since 2000. And Saturday the changing status of families headed by gays and lesbians was on the minds of participants at the annual event, which organizers believe drew several thousand people.
With the Supreme Court's June 26 decision striking down a Texas anti-sodomy law and with British Columbia legalizing same-sex marriage early last week, people attending Saturday's event said they felt the tide of history is running in their direction. David Stansel of Seattle, who was at the event with his partner, Troy Garner, called the Supreme Court ruling "a symbolic victory." Garner sees the high court's decision as an important step toward achieving that goal. He said he "firmly believes" such marriages will one day be legal in the U.S.
Magdalena Nieves of Olalla already considers herself to be "absolutely" married to her partner of two years, Lori Anderson, having tied the knot with Anderson in a civil union ceremony in Vermont. She, too, considers the Supreme Court decision to be a milestone in history of the gay rights movement. "It makes us a part of real mainstream American society and legitimizes us and gives us the opportunity to have as much of a married life as heterosexuals," she said.
"There's a huge number of same-sex couples that have been together for many years, that love one another and lead very, very healthy, happy lives and that raise families, that are very decent people. We lobby, we have voices, and we're constituents who vote."
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