Each year on Valentine’s Day, gay and lesbian couples go to the local county clerk’s office to request and subsequently be denied marriage licenses. These marriage counter actions known as “Freedom to Marry Day,” make visible the discrimination same-sex couples endure because they are denied the freedom to marry.

Last week, hundreds of same-sex couples, accompanied by friends, families and supporters, went to their local marriage counters in more than 20 counties across California and were turned away.

At least three San Diego couples and several supporters, including clergy members, joined in the “Freedom to Marry Day” action when they entered the office of Gregory J. Smith, San Diego County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, and demanded marriage licenses last Thursday. All requests were denied.

“Our City Council and Mayor have already taken a stand in favor of full civil equality for all San Diegans. It was with their inspirational courage in mind that we return once again to ask for fairness in the law with regards to those we love,” said Fernando Lopez, Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) San Diego Chapter leader. “It hurts to be reminded that we are not treated equally by our own government and yet year after year, we have shown up and been open, honest and courageous. We value commitment, loving and caring relationships and stability the same as the rest of our community. We simply ask for the golden rule from our fellow Americans – ‘to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’”

With the historic marriage equality lawsuit set to be heard and decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008, organizers from MEUSA believe this year’s marriage counter event holds the promise of being the last year this event will be necessary in California.

“It was exactly 60 years ago, in 1948, that the California Supreme Court declared that the right to marry the person you love is a ‘fundamental right of citizenship’ and struck down the state law banning couples of different races from civil marriage in the Sharp v. Perez decision,” said Molly McKay, MEUSA media director. “We hope they will again uphold the California tradition of fairness and equality by ending marriage discrimination once and for all.”

California is home to the largest number of same-sex couples in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition to San Diego, more than 20 California cities and counties, including Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Mateo County, and the cities of San Jose, Long Beach, signed onto the amicus brief supporting same-sex marriage.