Gay marriage: “˜Love is above politics’

The following is a phone interview with Grant Tyler
Peterson, a recent UCLA graduate who married his boyfriend Eric
“Gumby” Anderson in San Francisco in February 2004. In
light of the California Supreme Court decision voiding their
marriage, this couple is one of many grappling with their
marriage’s being in legal limbo. “¢bull;”¢bull;”¢bull;
Daily Bruin: What was your first reaction upon hearing the
California Supreme Court’s decision Aug. 12 that legally
voided your marriage? Grant Tyler Peterson: My first reaction
was shock and surprise, but I got over that very quickly. The
ruling was on whether or not San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had
the authority to allow same-sex marriage; it was not about the
constitutionality of same-sex marriage. I’m not surprised the
courts ruled Newsom was out of his jurisdiction, but the important
conclusion will be the court decision over whether it is
discrimination to prevent same-sex couples from marrying. I think
this decision will be in favor of gay marriage.

DB: How do you feel about the implications of the case? Do
you think Newsom’s decision gave fire to anti-same-sex
marriage activists? GP: I view this case as a victory. To say
it was a defeat would be like saying Rosa Park’s heroic
action was a defeat. Mayor Newsom stood up for what was right, and
he got people talking about gay marriage. We need activists who are
both traditional paper-pushers working within the system and
activists like Newsom who attract attention to the issue and do so
in an unconventional manner.

DB: How have the people around you reacted to the
court’s decision? GP: Since this decision came through,
I’ve been really touched by the support I’ve received
from my friends and family. When I opened up my e-mail box, and it
was full of notes offering sympathy. More than the sympathy,
I’ve been amazed at how many people have offered to help in
whatever way they can, writing letters, calling representatives and
so forth. The disappointing court decision seems to have galvanized
a sense of urgency and a feeling of agency among my allies that I
have not witnessed since the murder of Matthew Shepard.

DB: Has the legal-limbo of your marriage status had any
effect on your relationship with your partner, Eric
“Gumby” Anderson? GP: The court’s decision
didn’t have any effect on our relationship on the personal
level; our love is above politics. Plus, we’ve never really
adjusted to calling one another “husband” anyway. We
always refer to one another as “boyfriend” the way
someone else might refer to their significant other as
“sweetie.” However, our marriage day in San Francisco
still remains one of the most important days in our lives, and
having it recognized as official is important.

DB: What is the next step in the battle over same-sex
marriage in California? GP: There are currently several cases
pending that will determine the real issue ““ the
constitutionality of gay marriage. These current cases are similar
to the Massachusetts lawsuit last year, in which, we all remember,
the courts ruled that the state must issue same-sex marriage
licenses. A judge also ruled in favor of gay marriage in a similar
case in Washington State. My personal guess is that the San
Francisco cases will result in a similar verdict. If not, I want my
money back! I paid about $100 for a marriage license, and nearly
4,000 couples times a hundred dollars is a lot of money that the
state’s holding on to.

Interview conducted by Colleen Honigsberg, Bruin senior
staff.