A Valentine's Day Sit-in for Same-Sex Marriage

Tenth annual demonstration at City Hall draws dozens of couples protesting Proposition 8

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By Dan Ming on February 14, 2011 - 10:05 p.m. PST

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Dan Ming/The Bay Citizen

Protesters sing: "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No, not just for some, but for everyone."

For the 10th year, same-sex couples went to San Francisco's City Hall for a Valentine’s Day sit-in. The pairs waited in line and walked up to the city clerk to ask for a marriage license, ready to hear that it would not be possible.

Once told that they would not be allowed to marry, they sat down on the floor before being escorted out by the police.

The scene was civil and rehearsed. A podium for speakers was set up in one of the building’s wings, rather than on the steps outside the main entrance, where protests often take place.

The event was organized by Marriage Equality USA and GetEQUAL, both national LGBT-rights advocacy groups.

Proposition 8, California's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, is currently being challenged in federal court by the city of San Francisco and other parties.

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Dan Ming covers everything from Fantasy Rock Camps to Middle Eastern politics. He recently graduated with a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies from Vassar College in New York and has written for the New ... View Profile

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