The Summer of Love


In 1995, I spent ten glorious days in San Francisco, walking through the neighborhoods, eating falafels, visiting City Lights bookstore, and glorying in the environment. There were two highlights of my trip. One day, after visiting Coit Tower and those marvelous murals, I walked down an improbable street that is really a staircase, and saw the infamous Parrots of Telegraph Hill. And, I was there when Jerry Garcia died.Why was that significant? Because the hippies came to San Francisco from every corner of the world. They drove their VW Microbuses to the Haight, and there were impromptu altars on three of the four corners of Haight-Ashbury (there was no shrine in front of The Gap).

I remember walking the streets with my friend Lisa (who was ten years younger than I and who had never heard of The Grateful Dead) and I told her that this day, this time, was the closest I could ever come to experiencing the summer of love. I was a tad too young to experience the San Francisco of the sixties and seventies, but I wasn't too young to romanticize it. THIS was the San Francisco I wanted to see.

And now, forty-one years after that time of free love, rock 'n roll, and acid, comes a new Summer of Love. As of Monday, gays and lesbians will be allowed to marry in California!People are planning to travel to California, and specifically San Francisco, from all over the world. They will be descending on that fairest of cities in their Subarus and Volvos to have the opportunity to legally marry the loves of their lives.

I know this is only one of two states that allow gay marriage. I know that there are Californians who plan to fight this ruling, but it gives me hope, my friends. The times may indeed be a'changin'.


Comments

Karen Jensen said…
Not only are you a bridesmaid, but I was thinking of a pool-side wedding in your backyard! (Of course, I haven't run this by Susan).
There's 5 voters in my family that will be voting FOR! And a backyard wedding at Cheri's sounds perfect.
How amazing. I don't imagine it will be too long and the whole west coast will change the laws.

Just hoping.

:)
Mike Golch said…
Amen to that sister!

I believe that a marriage is between to loveing people Period.

Just because I'm in a "traditional marrage",does not mean that I do not support any other kinds of married people.I thnk that every body shoul have the RIGHT to marry who ever they please.IT is not our RIGHT to judge a person for what they believe,or how they want to live their lives.it is our RESPONSIBILITY to RESPECT ONE AND OTHER FOR OUR DIFFERENCES.
That's my story and I'm gonna stick to it!
JCK said…
It is wonderful news!!!

Our Episcopal church starts doing gay marriages on Monday. Couples are lining up. It's been very exciting to be part of the change.
Mrs. G. said…
I think you and Susan should pack up and take a road trip. I can't imagine how alive that city is going to be-maybe I need a road trip. To be surrounded by love and happiness would be a pretty good way to start the week.
I can't imagine what it must be like to finally have the opportunity to do what so many of us take for granted. But I can tell you that I firmly believe that times ARE changing...it's been a long wait, but let's start celebrating!

Heidi
The Other Laura said…
I hope the times are achangin' and it's about damn time.
2 down, 48 more to go.

It may take time, but go they will.

Maybe you should go to San Francisco during the BlogHer conference in July. You'll have thousands of bridesmaids!
Karen Jensen said…
What a great idea, Jozet! I haven't planned to go to BlogHer, but you sure make it sound good.
Anonymous said…
Such an awesome time of change for the good in our country. Let's hope it lasts.
Hooray California! The rest of the country will follow. Its just a matter of time. Even Texas, by goddess!
Mary Alice said…
Isn't California great?? Me too...I want to be a bridesmaid too!
Anonymous said…
There's no turning back now - justice will always prevail (even if it takes a couple hundred years). I told my kids to remember this time in history because someday they'll be telling there kids about it. MIME
Anonymous said…
or maybe even "their" kids. oops
MIME
Julie Pippert said…
The big wheel will keep on turning. The times, but, more importantly slowly but surely the majority minds, are changing. I believe someday we'll all get there.

And Jozet's idea is brilliance.
Claire B. said…
I will never, ever, if I live to be a hundred and ten, understand what makes any person on this earth think they can tell others how to live. And especially whom to love.

As long as no one gets hurt, the collective "they" have no right to decide what is right. I say do whomever and whatever you want and be happy. A hundred years from now it won't matter, now will it?

I have to believe this history-making time in CA will be what we all take for granted someday.
Sojourner said…
HOOORAY! We could come with you and have a double wedding. Cheri already hit me up to be a bridesmaid. SO Cheri wouldn't ya like to be a bridesmaid at a double wedding? ANd I like the idea of having it in Cheri's yard.
Irish Goddess said…
Oh, what is this lovely new banner? I like it!
Anonymous said…
I just LOVE the new banner.sorry that I have not been to visit for a while I have had some thing going on in my head,that I have been battling.those battles for the most part are over.
When John and I got married, our ceremony included a two minute moment of silence for all our gay and lesbian friends who were not allowed the same basic rights that we had - and we also told our guests that every good wish they bestowed upon us, they bestowed upon those friends denied marriage.

Three judges read the ceremony and passed on marrying us. Finally, a female judge said: ""This is the best ceremony I've ever read" and married us!

Hooray, hooray, hooray for California!!!!!!!!!!!
TeacherDee said…
I bet San Francisco is a neat place to be right now. I hope this helps start our country rollin' in the right direction!
Manager Mom said…
I feel like we've reached a critical tipping point of acceptance, and I hope there's no turning back.

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