San Diego: 'I am a Marine. I like to do things first'

Amid flowers and tears and balloons, Bob Lehman and Tom Felkner became San Diego’s first same-sex married couple. Lehman, a former Marine, and Felkner were married by Lehman’s brother, Jeff, a retired Marine.

“I’m a Marine. I like to do things first,” said Bob Lehman. The couple, both 43, have lived together for 15 years. Throughout the early morning hours, same-sex couples streamed into the county building to get their licenses. Four county employees were stationed on the broad lawn outside to perform weddings.

The second couple, Bonnie Russell, 64, and Jan Garbosky, 61, both retired teachers, plan an October wedding, but wanted to be early in getting the license. “We’re old marrieds, but we are not yet married,” said Russell.

As couples emerged from the building with their licenses, cheers went up from family and friends. Some couples brought their children, their parents, and business associates. A lone protester stood on the sidewalk and cried out a message against same-sex marriage.

“It’s just not right for a man to marry a man, it’s just not normal,” said the protester, Dennis Agajanian, a member of Bikers for Christ. But his protest was largely drowned out by supporters and well-wishers. “Love is in the air today,” said Margaux Lanoie, a volunteer with the Equality for All Campaign.

-- Tony Perry

Photo:  AP

Bob Lehman, left, and Tom Felkner share a kiss during their ceremony.    

Comments

[Jeff Lehman]

I am the "Jeff Lehman" that officiated their ceremony. It was a joyous moment to see Bob and Tom have this right, and for me, to be the one with the honor to perform the ceremony. They are great guys!

[Xavier M.]

I'll I can say is: congratulations you crazy kids!
Well I suppose I could also say that it was certainly time that the courts stepped in to stop what was manifestly a violation of both the Equal Protection and, although I'm not sure the Court's decision addressed this, the Establishment clauses of our Constitution.

[Fernando Vega]

San Diego Nixonian institutionalized and systematic bigotry is a relic of the past. Let us now stop hating mexicans. We can be Americas finest city

[loveForAll]

“It’s just not right for a man to marry a man, it’s just not normal,” said the protester, Dennis Agajanian

We could say the very same thing about FOREIGNERS marrying Americans. Or Americans marrying Armenians.

For any "religious" person not to embrace love between two adults, says far more about that persons dark side than it does about their fake religion.

Jesus...stood for love and goodness. And any scholar knows that that "twist" added regarding homosexuality came WAY after Jesus had died (most believe it was added as a way to build the flock which and INCREASE the revenue, which has always been a driving force in religious politics.

So, if you don't think it's "right" for two men or two women to get married in these United States....perhaps you need to rethink your place in this Free society.

Good riddance!

[Kimbo]

Congratulations to all the couples married today!! Love is in the air!