About 50 people gather in Tampa to protest a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
By LETITIA STEIN
Published March 21, 2004
TAMPA - Like some of their Westchase neighbors, Lynn Manchester and Kathy Wachala have a new baby and describe themselves as an ordinary family.
But they could only obtain a slip of paper from Vermont to show their commitment to each another, while their neighbors can formalize their relationship in marriage.
On Saturday, they rallied for the right to wed.
"She's what brought us out," said Wachala, 41, pushing their 3-month-old daughter, Danielle, in a stroller. They joined about 50 people gathered at Lykes Gaslight Square in downtown Tampa protesting President Bush's proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have the right to marry in our lifetimes," said Manchester, 35, who has been Wachala's partner for more than seven years. "But to write it into the Constitution just seems mean-spirited."
Other couples shared dreams of marriage. Parents expressed hope that homosexual children could marry. Gay rights advocates voiced concerns about discrimination.
"We've got to be visible. We've got to keep voicing our opposition," said R. Zeke Fread, 52, a South Tampa resident who has spearheaded the "DontAmend Tampa Bay" campaign. "This is something we can't just stand by and let go."
On both sides, the discussion has drawn pitched debate since the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in November that the state's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
Since then, San Francisco and a few other cities have begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Other states, such as Wisconsin, rushed to ban such unions.
Attention turned to Orlando on Friday, when eight same-sex couples applied for marriage licenses, knowing they would be turned away. Earlier last week, Key West's City Commission passed a largely symbolic resolution supporting same-sex unions.
Florida allows only counties, not municipalities, to issue marriage licenses. State law bans same-sex marriage. Still, opponents fear Florida could be forced to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
"They are trying to force society to approve their lifestyle," said David Caton, executive director of the nonprofit Florida Family Association. His group opposes pornography and strip clubs and helped lead a successful push in the 1990s to rescind a Hillsborough County ordinance that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. "And society has overwhelmingly said, "We don't.' "
Four years ago, Vermont approved civil unions, which extend rights to same-sex couples. No other state recognizes a civil union from Vermont.
In Tampa, demonstrators argued their case using personal terms.
Brian Winfield said he and his partner of 17 years have waited to formalize their commitment until they would receive equal respect. They say that moment is at hand. They are planning a fall trip to Massachusetts and say they hope to return to Palm Harbor married.
"The only person that I want to approve of my marriage is the person I'm going to marry," said Winfield, 39. "Marriage is the most personal thing one can experience."
