Marriage Equality

Del Martin 1921-2008

Hank Donat and Jeff Halpern celebrate the life of Del Martin. The lesbian and gay rights pioneer who died on August 27 is survived by her lawfully wedded wife, Phyllis Lyon.

Mister SF Loves New York

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Jeff Halpern and Hank Donat, the first gay grooms of San Francisco, honeymoon in New York. Following triumph at home, Donat marches down Fifth Avenue to the Stonewall Inn in NYC's Pride Parade as the couple celebrates the city that celebrated them. (View from Mandarin Oriental NYC, Columbus Circle.)



nytroadshow

Making History Two Hearts at a Time



New York Times 06/18/08 A1: Steady Celebration Replaces Mad Rush... Hank Donat tossing his wedding bouquet on Tuesday in San Francisco.

LA Times 06/18/06: "Their suits were pressed, their smiles broad, and their place in line historic."

The Advocate 06/18/06: "'Hey everyone, we're getting married!' yelled Jeffrey Halpern and Hank Donat as they squeaked past the media to become the first couple of the day to be wed at San Francisco City Hall."

Reuters 06/17/08: Jeff Halpern and Hank Donat become the first couple to be married inside San Francisco City Hall on the first full day of legal same-sex marriage in San Francisco, California.

SFGate/Chronicle 06/17/08: "This is legal, and we're equal, but the most important thing is that I get to spend the rest of my life with the man I love," said Jeffrey Halpern, 43, who with Hank Donat was the first to tie the knot in San Francisco.

Associated Press 06/17/08: Hank Donat, "Taking care of the person you love is the most important thing in the world, gay or straight." Jeff Halpern, "Our marriage is equal to anybody else's. I think California voters will do the right thing."

SFGate/Chronicle 06/17/08: Hank Donat, "We're here to correct the egregious error that was made when our original wedding was reversed in 2004."

National Public Radio 06/17/08: Aaron Peskin, "Do you Hank take Jeff to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

KCBS Radio 06/17/08: Hank Donat, "Lawful marriage to the perfect partner is paradise on Earth."