'Love Wins' is the Theme as Santa Cruzans Celebrate Legalization of Gay Marriage in California

Hundreds of gleeful people turned up outside the Santa Cruz County Courthouse Wednesday evening to celebrate the Supreme Court sanction of gay marriage in California. 

"I'm absolutely amazed," said Sharon Papo, the executive director of the Santa Cruz Diversity Center. "This is a wonderful day."

Papo, who is married to a woman and has a kid, said she always felt like a second class citizen because of laws restricting her from visiting her wife in the hospital or filing joint tax statements, which the Supreme Court's decision will end. 

"When I heard the ruling I cried," said the 34-year-old. "It means so much to have the protections of federal marriage."

The scene at 5:30 p.m. outside the courthouse was marked by signs, speeches, hugs, shouts of joy, rainbow flags and above all, talk of being able to love freely and equally.

"I'm so happy I got to see this in my lifetime," said attorney Emily Trexel. "The federal government can no longer deny rights."

Not everyone in Santa Cruz was happy about the decision. A radio host named Georgia on KSCO-AM (1080) told her audience she was discouraged. 

"What's next, marrying your dog?" she said on Santa Cruz's only commercial talk radio station. Later, a caller to Charly Freedman's show identified as Laurie from Soquel, said gay marriage hurt her because it taught immorality and she compared it to stealing and murder. 

The conservative host, who has been on the wrong side of history in most of his antiquated views, said he favored gay marriage because it meant getting government out of people's private business. But he didn't change Laurie's mind.

But a larger group of Santa Cruzans basked in the sunshine of the decision and celebrated on the courthouse steps.
 
County Clerk Gail Pellerin, who was in Greece on vacation, sent word through an assistant that they would keep people apprised of when weddings can begin and they can check www.sccoclerk.com for updates.

Meanwhile, County Supervisors Neal Coonerty, Zach Friend and Jon Leopold stood with a sign saying "We Want to Marry You," indicating that the county was ready to perform the marriages.