TAMPA – Concerned that a final cornerstone for full equality may be crumbling, some 75 protestors rallied at Lykes Gaslight Square in downtown Tampa on Saturday, March 20, urging vigilance toward the goal of attaining marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The Massachusetts Supreme Court has mandated marriage rights for same-sex couples in that state. San Francisco and select other municipalities have begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. President Bush has called for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

“In his bid to serve a second term, our President is trying to confuse voters into believing that the issue of gay marriage is the biggest threat to our nation,” said DontAmend Tampa Bay’s R. Zeke Fread. “And what is most alarming about this is that it is working.”

Some at the rally spoke about their dream of getting married. Couples with children emphasized the importance of legal recognition to their family unit. Parents shared wishes that their gay or lesbian children could someday form legal life partnerships. All addressed underlying issues of equality and discrimination.

“The only person I want to approve of my marriage is the person I’m going to marry,” said Equality Florida’s Brian Winfield, who plans to marry partner Kim Byrd in Massachusetts this fall.

Fread expressed concern that a loss on the marriage issue could erode previously attained rights.

“We must not believe for a minute that passage of this constitutional amendment is not possible,” he said. “If are apathetic – if we hide our heads in the sand – it will be our downfall.”

Tom Dyer

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