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When California’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the The Golden State, was thrown out in 2013, then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris delivered a direct message to clerks across the state: “Start the marriages immediately.”
Resurfaced video shows Harris calling a Los Angeles County clerk shortly after the state Supreme Court had struck down California’s same-sex marriage ban, and delivering the order.
Though a California court declared the law unconstitutional in 2010, gay marriages were still halted until the state’s Supreme Court’s ruling three years later. The U.S. Supreme Court would follow suit in 2015, by making marriage equality the law of the land.
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As AG, Harris refused to defend Prop 8, which voters passed in 2008, against court challenges, solidifying herself as an early champion for LGBTQ+ rights.
“Is this the clerk in Los Angeles? This is Kamala Harris,” she said to the LA County clerk. “You must start marriages immediately. You must start the marriages immediately. OK, that’s wonderful. Thank you. Have a good day, and enjoy it. It’s going to be fun.”
Harris punctuates the call with her trademark–and very meme’d–spontaneous cackle.
With all the old Kamala Harris clips going around, I’m surprised this one hasn’t popped up more: Harris ordering the LA clerk to begin gay marriages after Prop 8 was halted
— Pat Rynard (@patrynard) July 22, 2024
Harris has been out front on LGBTQ issues long before many in the party pic.twitter.com/p6AhDbULXA
Shortly thereafter, Harris officiated the marriage between two of her friends, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier.
It’s fair to say that Harris’ successful run for attorney general changed the course for gay rights in the Golden State. Her opponent was the then-Republican district attorney of LA County, Steve Cooley, who supported Prop 8.
If Cooley had been elected–he led for the bulk of election night and prematurely declared victory–the state probably would’ve defended Prop 8 in court.
Before running for statewide office, Harris served as the DA for San Francisco, and helped then-mayor Gavin Newsom circumvent state law against gay marriage. When Newsom declared same-sex marriage legal in the city in 2004, Harris officiated the unions. (The Vice President has called that period “one of the most joyful moments” of her career.)
Though a California court nullified Newsom’s order, nearly 4,000 couples wed in San Francisco over a 29-day period. One of those couples, Bradley Witherspoon and Raymond Cabone, reflected on their 20th anniversary to NBC News earlier this year.
They said Harris, who officiated their wedding, FaceTimed to celebrate their milestone.
“I reflect on that weekend with such a fond memory of what it meant for so many people. But for the two of you, I mean, I didn’t fully appreciate how many people were in loving, committed relationships, and just legally were not able to seal the deal … and how unfair that was,” she said.
The full scene where @KamalaHarris ensured ALL counties in CA began allowing same-sex couples to marry after the Supreme Court ruling in the Prop 8 case. @paulkatami & @Jzpk4equality tied the knot soon after this moment. pic.twitter.com/H3dl0k09hj
— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) July 23, 2024
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Kamala’s presidential campaign rollout is already gay AF with an assist from this major pop star
Kamala Harris’ campaign is not wasting any time.
In case you just fell out of a coconut tree, Kamala’s presidential campaign rollout is completely gay-coded. The Biden campaign handed over its X account, which received a “Brat Green” makeover.
The gays, unsurprisingly, responded in kind. (Appropriately, Kamala spent part of last weekend in Provincetown, where she raised more than $2 million.)
The Biden campaign’s official account, Biden-Harris HQ, has officially rebranded to Kamala HQ with a ‘brat’ theme. pic.twitter.com/xy4FhdE5h7
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 22, 2024
BRAT Kamala shirts already on Fire Island. The gays move SO FAST pic.twitter.com/Zq3e9yctzv
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) July 21, 2024
Charli XCX, the ascending gay icon behind “brat,” offered Kamala her endorsement as well. Our favorite 365 party girl was succinct and to the point.
“kamala IS brat,” she posted.
Originally adopted by the gays (like pretty much everything cool), “Brat” summer is now fully mainstream. The concept is about living your life Von Dutch, wearing your most ridiculous pair of shades and just overall not giving AF.
Or, in the words of veteran CNN correspondent Jamie Gangel: “You’re just that girl who’s a little messy and likes to party, and maybe says some dumb things sometimes.”
“I will aspire to be ‘brat,'” replied anchor Jake Tapper.
The CNN panel discussing ‘kamala IS brat’ is an early front runner for best coverage of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign! pic.twitter.com/6ytUMfWu9u
— ryan 🥥🌴 (@thisismeryan13) July 22, 2024
With a strong record of support for LGBTQ+ rights, Kamala’s policies match her queer-loving actions. As a California senator, she received a “100 rating” from the Human Rights Campaign and introduced legislation to mandate that insurance companies cover PrEP.
She’s continued to champion LGBTQ+ causes as vice president, speaking out against anti-trans laws being enacted in red states.
With that, Republicans have already started smearing Harris, with Trump’s newly appointed #2 JD Vance calling her a “miserable cat lady.”
Little does he know… “Brat” summer is all about embracing one’s inner-feline. Meow!
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A straight guy wants to know… can he have a “Brat summer” too?
Straight dudes want to have fun, too!
abfab
Thank you, Alex! You and Q are doing a great job here!!
KAMALA ROCKS!
Kangol2
Fierce. Go Kamala
GayEGO
Yay! My husband and I got married June 10, 2004 when Massachusetts passed the marriage equality law!
Woody
I love her approval ratings.
KountKaunas
“Resurfaced” makes it sound like some obscure archival footage that was recently unearthed, and not a scene from the award-winning documentary The Case Against 8.
gregg2010
You go, Girl! Keep the momentum up and running!
abfab
POS is still trying to keep the focus on his ear…….
LumpyPillows
Time to get 100% behind Kamala and get this done.
Kangol2
And J…D. bangs sofas
abfab
No wonder why POS chose him. Into latex gloves and then brags about it.
Woody
The coronation is complete; without ever receiving one v0te.
Woody
So much for d€m0cracy.
inbama
LOL. Drump tried to end it on January 6.
storm45701
Poor Woody; all the Republican authoritarian dreams going up in smoke. I don’t know about anyone else, but I voted for the Biden/Harris TICKET in my primary, so I’m good. That shock poll yesterday, putting Harris 2 points above Trump must have sent shivers. I haven’t seen the Democratic Party this enthusiastic since Obama’s 2008 campaign. And we’re just getting started.
PhillyProud
@Woody, FFS. I voted for Biden in the primary, knowing full well, that if he can’t complete his presidency that Harris would step in. But, by all means if you believe it was undemocratic you should vote for trump and really get to see what a decimated democracy would look like. Puh-leeze.
Bosch
Woody doesn’t know that it’s common for the VP to replace the president in American democracy? Everyone who’s actually American knows that.
Bosch
Woody, if the people don’t want Harris, they won’t vote for her. Cry about it.