Prop. 8: Gay couples try for marriage licenses in East L.A. [Updated]

Three couples took turns entering the tiny antechamber of the L.A. County Registrar Recorder's office in East L.A. just before 2 p.m. County officials had let them cut ahead, expecting them to leave after being turned down for marriage licenses.

But half an hour later, they refused to leave, leaving clerks frustrated and people outside bemused and befuddled as protesters chanted slogans. Deputies tried to cajole the couples to leave, saying people were waiting in line and that children could be startled by the protest.

"Well, I think we might have to stay here until the law is changed," Jeanne Cordova, 60, told a clerk after she and Lynn Ballen, 48, were denied licenses.

"We've been together 20 years," Cordova said in the cramped office. She and Ballen live in Altadena.

"Give them their licenses!" protesters cried outside.

County officials expressed anger, telling some of the activist leaders that they had been misled.

"We've kept our end of the bargain," an official told one of the activists acting as an observer.

"Give us the license," the couples replied.

Cordova said she and Ballen and the other couples intend to be arrested.

Eventually, a trickle of other people was allowed in.

[Updated at 3:30 p.m.: The six people refusing to leave the tiny office voluntarily walked out shortly after 3 p.m. Meantime, Cordova and Ballen ramped up their disobedience by standing in front of one of the booths. Deputies walked back in after being alerted by a flustered county official. No arrests had been made.

Talia Bettcher, 42, who ended her protest after being asked to by her partner, said the people still inside intended to get arrested. The office closes at 4:30 pm.

"Basically they don't want to leave until we get our rights," said Bettcher, a philosophy professor at Cal State L.A.

Most of the demonstrators outside had left.]

-- Hector Becerra

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Comments

[dana]

This is exactly the type of behavior that made people change their mind about supporting the gay community. For crying out loud your not children. If the 52% acted this way you'd be tellling them to get over it....so there...get over it!!!

[Brandy]

Dana obviously knows nothing of the history of civil disobedience and the progress that has been attained over the past century through its use.

[Phillip]

In response to Dana: " This is exactly the type of behavior that made people change their mind about supporting the gay community. For crying out loud your not children. If the 52% acted this way you'd be tellling them to get over it....so there...get over it!!! "

I think when anyone is faced with a choice that affects their passions or desire that is out of their control, actions could never be mocked by calling them children, or you for one would be a hypocrite for name calling. Understand this, what would you do in a position where you were denied something due to your gender?

Supporting life is supporting your fellow neighbor...act on it.

[dana]

I understand what you are saying but to continue to pursue something in a childish manner is not acceptable. Not everything is obtained by civil disobedience and playing a victim only goes so far...people get tired of it. And might I add that "supporting life is supporting my fellow neighbor" doesn't mean I need to support his/her life style choices. As for gender? I am daily denied things because of my gender, so are you, being male or female doesn't make everything equal. It would in a "perfect" world, but nobody is perfect. Diversity in all things. It would be a very boring world if there we didnt' have it.

[Bohica]

It was put to a vote, and it lost. It was taken to the courts, and it lost....be done now.. it's over. Grow up, act like civilized adults, and move on.

[Zach]

Gee, you know what? The "Yes on 8" people opened this legal can of worms trying to overturn the court's decision against them last year, running to Dad with a sob story and proposition when Mom said no. So don't give us this nonsense about childishness when when this is about one side selfishly monopolizing a word at the expense of the other's legal rights, and don't hypocritically talk about shutting up as "civilized adults" just because NOW you want the debate to end. No, we've an American tradition of struggling for freedom to uphold, you go shopping or whatever makes you feel more "civilized."

[dana]

Zach, you might not be aware but the vote was victorious twice. The State decided to undermine the 1st vote which is why it was voted on again. There were no recriminations to the minority when the State overturned the vote. There was however an in your face reaction from the minority to the majority. Steps were taken to vote again. Again the vote passed. Again the behavior from the minority was that of a willful child. So are the actions of the above few mentioned in this article. Thank heavens that's all that has been reported. The demonstration last night in West Hollywood was a pleasant change from November's outburst. Actions speak louder than words...sometimes too loud. You have a long hard road ahead of you and no one is going to make it easy for anyone when the behavior is questionable. Good luck...and I mean that sincerely, because both sides will be working double time now for what they view is right for everyone.

[metronil]

Gay people are the most whiny, intolerant, unhappy, selfish people in the world.

They should change the name to ANGRYHATEFUL instead of GAY.

[Zach]

Yes, Dana, I'm quite aware that twice this issue has been raised by the same people who claim to want to see it go away. I'm quite aware that, in spite of that, certain people blame gay people and their supporters for fighting back, apparently preferring that gay citizens stay out of the streets and remain a tidy little ballot item they can just check or uncheck on a whim. I'll take your wishes for luck with thanks, and send wishes back to you that when tides turn, no one decides your rights need a "time out" because you're too "willful."

[michael]

Great job for standing up for yourselves.

There is a national call for Civil Disobedience on June 27th the Anniversary of Stonewall, google the info.

Solidarity from San Diego!