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Supporters Rally For Equal Rights In San Antonio, Court Hears DOMA Case

Julie Pousson took the microphone and shouted that all people should be treated the same. A closeted lesbian for a long time, Pousson said no one should have to hide in the shadows, and her message resonated with the hundreds of people gathered outside the Bexar County Courthouse Tuesday evening.

Activists held signs, candles, flags, and their pride for gays and lesbians who they believe should have the right to marry the same as traditional couples.

"I need you to go home as ambassadors and having loving conversations with your family, your friends and everyone that you know about what the civil rights of marriage are and why it's not correct to ever withhold civil rights from any minority," Pousson yelled.

The GetEqual movement spurred people – both straight and gay – to gather at Milam Park before heading to City Hall. Although there were no city leaders present, organizer Mitsue McCoy said the march symbolized a desire for San Antonio to adopt a city-wide human rights ordinance.

Next, they headed toward the courthouse. McCoy and others like Carlos Soto said it’s where they soon hope to get their marriage licenses.

"We want everyone to be able to come here and get married regardless of their sexual identity, their sexual expression or their sexual orientation," she said.

"This is a human rights issue," Soto said. "This is about love."

This week the Supreme Court is taking up California’s Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, hearing arguments on both sides of the same-sex marriage issue. Although the high court did not appear to get anywhere Monday, marchers in San Antonio say they are not deterred.

They are resolved to keep up their work until everyone is treated the same.

"We want equality!" shouted Soto.

Ryan Loyd was Texas Public Radio's city beat and political reporter. He left the organization in December, 2014.