27 years ago I was arrested for being gay. Not because I was having sex in public or being lewd or anything like that. I was in a bar, we were rounded up and put in a truck and booked on various charges. Mine was "battery" which means touching someone without their consent. When I got to the booking person at the lock-up I was informed "pay the $1000 fine, or we will publish your name in the Tampa Tribune and St. Pete Times." Me being me, I refused to pay the fine. 52 other guys did pay the fines. So the Tampa Police made $51,000 in four hours to herd people into a truck and book them on trumped up charges.
Miami, Florida, 1996, I volunteered for SAVE Dade to fight to add sexual orientation to the County's anti-discrimination charter.
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| It wasn't a chapel, but a Credit Union |
San Diego, California, 2006. My partner of five years says "meet me at the Credit Union on the corner, I need you to do something important." I get to the Credit Union right before the close of business, we walk up to the teller and ask her to notarize our Domestic Partnership Papers. At the time in California, domestic partnerships were a "marriage equivalent". I was allowed on my domestic partner's health insurance plan.
Miami, Florida, 2007 I get hired by SAVE Dade to be their Field Director. Worked on campaign to fight Amendment 2 the "Marriage Amendment".
Miami, 2007. My husband and I are redefined as "Domestic Partners" when we register as domestic partners in the County's "business bureau" not in the Marriage office. Domestic Partnership is not recognized outside of Miami-Dade County.
San Diego 2008, I become LEGALLY MARRIED in the State of California. Marriage is not recognized anywhere but there.
Miami, Florida 2008. Obama elected and Amendment 2 passes. "Marriage or any equivalent thereof shall not be recognized" My spouse and I are officially un-domestically partnered.
Miami, Florida 2013. DOMA was struck down by the Supreme Court of the United States. Family income goes up by $100 per month because we no longer have to pay taxes on benefits to spouse. Marriage is recognized by Federal government, for all Federal benefits including Social Security.
Miami, Florida January 6th, 2015. I AM LEGALLY MARRIED!
Miami, Florida 2013. DOMA was struck down by the Supreme Court of the United States. Family income goes up by $100 per month because we no longer have to pay taxes on benefits to spouse. Marriage is recognized by Federal government, for all Federal benefits including Social Security.
Miami, Florida January 6th, 2015. I AM LEGALLY MARRIED!
