Lesbian weds male stranger in protest

Posted on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 04:13 PM

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Irish American lesbian Kitty Lambert (pictured above center) and her longtime partner Cheryl attempted to apply for a marriage license in Buffalo, New York yesterday.

When her request was denied, Lambert turned to the crowd that had gathered.

With news cameras rolling, Kitty asked for any male who would be willing to get married to her. A gay man named Ed, a total stranger to her, stepped forward and volunteered. They briefly exchanged information and presented the appropriate documents along with $40.

City staff verified the information, and proceeded to give them a marriage license. Kitty’s point in approaching the City Clerk for a marriage license is that there is no religious basis for marriage, and it serves only as a legally binding contract in our society.

Instead of being offered the ability to receive a license with her long-term partner, she was able to secure a license with a total stranger, strictly based on their gender.

So there you have it. You don't have to be gay to see how discriminatory and insupportable the denial of equality to gay people has become. This was not an act of civil disobedience here. The whole point, in fact, is that she was being obedient to the law.

Most people have made on their minds on this issue and this action won't change it. But it will make the discrimination a good deal more insupportable.

View the video by clicking HERE.

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hollabackgurl | Feb 14, 2010, 11:19 AM EST

Bt definition marriage is between two consenting people of either sex, even if they've just met at the registry office two seconds beforehand (as this action demonstrates). If registrars will hand out a legal marriage certificate to two total strangers who have just met (provided they're opposite sex) and then turn around and REFUSE a marriage certificate to a loving couple who have shared their lives together for 25 years, then the blatant legal discrimination is impossible to ignore or defend.

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hollabackgurl | Feb 14, 2010, 11:15 AM EST

Marriage is a legal arrangement that they'll let ANY two people enter into, provided they're of age and opposite sex couples. That's her point. She makes it well. Religion and "sacred vows" are for people who believe in them, but this is an arrangement in LAW that has NOTHING to do with either. You should wait for your ability to get married Madeline, but I bet you won't. Waiting is just for other people, not you, right?

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JosephOCasey | Feb 11, 2010, 07:04 PM EST

That would be all good and well if marriage wasn't only between a man and a woman. You can't discriminate against something that doesn't exist. By definition marriage is between a man and a woman. Same sex marriage is an oxymoron. There is nothing preventing these ladies from leading their life as they choose. They have the right to lead this life if they so desire. Demanding the public's acceptance of their relationship is not a right that to which they are entitled.

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