Memories of Decision Day rally in West Hollywood!

I don’t know about you, but I’m still processing all that happened last Friday at the US Supreme Court.

I had to immediately get to work and file stories as soon as the same-sex marriage ruling came down and didn’t stop until it was time to leave for the big rally at West Hollywood Park.

On the drive over, I was listening to NPR and they played some of President Obama’s speech outside The White House and shed some tears for the first time that day.

What a great president we have – a truly great man who, I think, history will rate quite highly.

I was only able to attend about half the rally but there looked to be at least 2,000 people there and more still arriving as I headed out.

Was disappointed that LA Mayor Eric Garcetti canceled as did County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl but Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri L. Jean was dynamite (see video below).

Said Jean: ‘We have gathered this evening in great relief and joy and celebration because today was a victory for love! After literally decades of blood, sweat and tears, the freedom to marry is now the law of the land. AND, for the first time in history, our nation’s highest court has said that we deserve the same rights and privileges as every other American!’

‘Many of us spent much of our lives believing we would never live to see this day,’ she added. ‘But here we are. Just as the confederate flag is coming down the rainbow flag is rising and it’s about damn time!’

Jean said the Supreme Court victory is a “crushing blow to the anti-LGBT movement that has built its might at the expense of our very lives—often and shamefully in the name of God. … It looks to me like if God is with anyone, she’s with us!’

‘Today’s decision is proof that we can change the world,” Jean also said. ‘Today, at long last, justice has prevailed. The freedom to marry is ours!’

I love how the next speaker, Jon Davidson of Lambda began his remarks: ‘Today love won! Today equality won! Today liberty won! Today dignity won! Today the Constitution won! Today—we all won!’

Other speakers included Matthew Mansell and Johno Espejo who were among the couples whose cases were consolidated into the case that ended the marriage ban, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo who were co-plaintiffs in the case that overturned California’s Proposition 8, National Center for Lesbian Rights Board Co-Chair Tamika Butler, actress Pauley Perrette on NCIS fame, Equality California’s Tony Hoang, and West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath.

There were also musical performances by Jenifer Lewis and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.