Love is Love, Period. The Best Love Songs Ever Written.

In celebration of the 18,000 same-sex couples who legally got married in California between 6/16/08 at 5:01pm and 11/5/08 12:00pm, and to the thousands of other couples who love but are denied the right to marry...I have compiled a list of the best love songs ever written. This list was made by asking my monthly question to my friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Anniversary to the same-sex couples, like myself, who legally got married on this date last year (06/17/08), the first day GLBT couples could legally get married in California. Here's to hoping that marriage equality will be restored in the future to California...and throughout this nation.

Now, the 100 best love songs ever written (according to me and my friends and in no particular order):

1. One in a Million You - Larry Graham
2. I Could Fall in Love - Selena
3. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
4. You're My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
   
5. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
6. Always and Forever - Heatwave
7. You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
8. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
   
9. Hero - Enrique Inglesias
10. At Last - Etta James
11. Something - The Beatles
12. Have You Ever - Brandy
13. Baby, Baby - Amy Grant
14. Someone To Watch Over Me - Michael Feinstein
15. How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes
    
16. Baby I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
17. All I Want is You - U2
18. By Your Side - Sade
19. Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney
    
20. Everything - Michael Buble
21. When You Say You Love Me - Josh Groban
22. All My Life - K.C. and JoJo
23. When I Fall in Love - Nat King Cole
24. Your Song - Elton John
25. My Love - Justin Timberlake
    
26. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor
27. I'll Be - Edwin McCain
28. Amazed - Lone Star
29. Leather and Lace - Stevie Nicks
    
30. Body and Soul - Tony Bennett
31. Ikaw (Translated from Tagalog, You) - Regine Velasquez
32. Back at One - Brian McKnight
33. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
34. Wonderful Together - Eric Clapton
35. Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
36. Open Arms - Journey
37. Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
38. I Melt With You - Modern English
    
39. Crazy For You - Madonna
40. Come What May - Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
41. Lovin' You - Minnie Ripperton
    
42. Your Body is Wonderland - John Mayer
43. Fields of Gold - Sting/Eva Casssidy
44. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
45. Why - Annie Lennox
    
46. Time and Tide - Basia
47. Always - Atlantic Starr
    
48. If - Bread
    
49. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
50. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
    
51. Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Gardens
52. The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
53. Faithfully - Journey
54. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
55. I Do (Cherish You) - 98 Degrees
56. Endless Love - Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
57. Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
58. Sweet Love - Anita Baker
    
59. Suddenly - Billy Ocean
60. Inna Godda Divida - Iron Butterfly
61. You've Got A Friend - Carole King/James Taylor
62. Breathe - Faith Hill
63. Wahine 'Ilikea - Dennis Kamakahi
64. I Wanna Grown Old With You - Adam Sandler
65. We've Only Just Begun - The Carpenters
66. Power of Two - Indigo Girls
67. More Than Words - Extreme
68. Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
69. Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
70. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
71. When I Think of You - Janet Jackson
    
72. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
73. The Closer I Get To You - Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway
    
74. Love Song - The Cure
    
75. Wicked Games - Chris Isaak
76. I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton John
    
77. Beautiful - James Blunt
78. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
79. Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams
80. I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston
    
81. Now and Forever - Richard Marx
82. Here and Now - Luther Vandross
83. Always on my Mind - Elvis Presley/Willie Nelson
    
84. (I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
85. You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
86. Vision of Love - Mariah Carey
87. On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men
88. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
    
89. No One - Alicia Keys
90. Lucky - Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
91. In My Life - The Beatles
    
92. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
93. Hey There Delilah - The Plain White T's
94. Angel of Mine - Monica
95. Get Here - Oleta Adams
96. Never Tear Us Apart - INXS
97. Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
98. Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears
99. Kissing A Fool - George Michael
100. All Out of Love - Air Supply
     

Just like these songs about love, we all have our own love story, and no one's love is better than the other. Love is Love and we should all be lucky to experience it (and marry as two consenting adults if we so chose)...it's definitely the greatest thing of all.

If I've forgotten your favorite love song, please add them in the comments.

-Percy

Photo of John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney by Bella Pictures taken on 06/17/08, San Francisco, California

Photo of Ross and Percy by Cesar Juarez taken on 06/17/08, Santa Barbara, California

Trend Thursday: Equality Rings

In celebration of Gay (LGBT) Pride Month and to all the states, like Iowa and New Hampshire who have passed laws allowing same-sex couples to legally get married, I am highlighting a very special designer who designs with equality in mind, David Jason Taylor.

David's designs are geared towards the men in your life, but his designs are unisex enough that women who love them can also wear them. Currently he has two lines on his Website, the Tribeca Silver Collection and the Venetian Gold Collection. Both lines are FABULOUS.

Who would have thought to design jeweled stackable rings for me the guys? Sure Tiffany's has been doing it for the ladies, but now multi-colored gem bling for guys...OUTSTANDING! Not only does he use diamonds, but he also uses such gems as linen quartz, lemon or green citrine, blue topaz, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires...OH MY. The big plus is all of his pieces are handmade and handcrafted the day they are ordered! In addition to his rings, David has made some outstanding necklaces that would be great gifts for your groomsmen, best woman, or anyone special in your lives.

These rings are not only perfect as wedding rings, but they make great engagement rings too. Additionally, if you don't plan to marry, they are just a perfect accessory to have. I'm personally eyeing the Tribeca Band Ring as a replacement to my own nonchalant wedding band.

So, in celebration of diversity and equality, show your pride and your support by supporting those who give back towards the fight for equal rights, such as David Jason Taylor. Additionally, when you place your order on the David Jason Taylor Website and use the following code: percysales, you will receive free shipping and 10% of your purchase will be donated to organizations that support marriage equality.

Visit the world of David Jason Taylor today, you will love his pieces.

-Percy

Photos from David Jason Taylor

Fantastic Friday: Iowa Greenlights Same-Sex Marriages

Fantastic news this morning. Iowa has become the third state to say yes to same-sex marriages and marriage equality. In a unanimous vote the Iowa Courts stated that the ban on same-sex marriages violated the States equal protection clause in it's constitution.

If the old political saying, " So Goes Iowa, So Goes the Nation," holds true, we may be seeing marriage equality in more states in the coming year. Let's hope California Courts also see that separate is not equal and stands on the side of love and equality.

Congratulations Iowa!

-Percy

P.S. Congratulations to Vermont for also legalizing Same-Sex Marriage and becoming the 4th state to stand on the side of love. Big thumbs up to D.C. also for recognizing couples who legally got married in other states. Who's next?

Photo from the Associated Press (Rep. Steve Howard, D-Rutland, who is gay, hugs Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, following preliminary approval of gay marriage bill in Montpelier, Vt, Thursday, April 2, 2009)

Trend Thursday: Off Celebrating My 17th Anniversary

Hi All,

I am taking the day off from blogging to celebrate my 17th anniversary to my partner (day we started dating 2/12/92), 4th anniversary of our commitment ceremony (not legal 2/12/05), and 8 month anniversary of our legal same sex marriage (6/17/08).

Keep our marriage legal go to www.couragecampaign.org/divorce and sign the petition to invalidate Prop 8 in California.

-Percy

Photo taken at our commitment ceremony on 2/12/05 by our friend Don Earl

Wacky Wednesdays: Fidelity: Don't Divorce (Courage Campaign)

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Today I am doing a little political blog...because I believe that Love is Love and in Equal Rights.

Tomorrow, my partner/husband and I will be celebrating our 17th anniversary, longer than most of our heterosexual friends. Yet, we have only been legally married since June 17, 2008 (8 months)...the first day that it was legal and recognized that ALL Californians had the right to marry the ONE PERSON THEY LOVE. As of today, our marriage is still intact, but Ken Starr is wanting to have our marriage taken away...basically force us to divorce, even though we were married before the November 4, 2008 passing of Prop 8. I urge all of you who stand on the side of love, support marriage equality, and believe that my marriage should remain valid, to visit www.couragecampaign.org/divorce and sign the petition that will be sent to the Supreme Court of California.

From the Courage Campaign. "On December 19, 2008, Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and seeking to nullify the marriages of 18,000 devoted same-sex couples solemnized before Prop 8 passed.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5 2009, with a decision expected within 90 days." People signing the petition are asking, "That the Court enforce the equality promised to each of us by our constitution and invalidate Prop 8. By doing so, it will protect all loving, committed couples in California -– including the 18,000 who said "I do" last year –- and prevent the initiative process from being a tool for stripping vulnerable minorities of precious constitutional rights.

As Americans who believe in the rule of law and fundamental civil rights, we know that Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund's shameful attempt to nullify equal protection and all these bonded unions will be condemned in the eyes of history. We know that, ultimately, love will prevail, no matter how hard they try to fight it."

Support Love, Support Equality.

-Percy

P.S. This video was very emotional. We submitted our family photo to this, but unfortunately, we did not make the cut. However, it's still a great video and a wonderful song.

Video from Courage Campaign

History has been Made

Yes We Did! Congratulations to Barack Obama on winning the US Presidency. What a historic moment in time...and I am so glad that I was able to witness it. Here's to CHANGE and to a future full of HOPE! I know that he will have a tough road ahead of him, but I believe in my heart of hearts that he will get America back on the right track.

With the joyous announcement of our next President, I am also saddened that California Prop 8 has passed (52% Yes, to 48% No...a very close race) and will eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry. I am not sure what will happen to my own marriage license, to my partner of 16 years and husband of 4/8 years, but I assure you that the fight for EQUALITY will continue. I am just amazed that Californians voted for the fair treatment and rights of chickens and other farm animals, but voted against protecting the rights of two human beings.

Here's to future hope and for positive change from a now second-class citizen. I am so glad that this is all over too, now I can stop worrying about the elections and get some real sleep! Thank you all for getting out your vote. I know that we all may disagree about what's right for this country, but I respect that everyone voted for their truth and proved that the process of democracy is alive and well, even though some of us wish the outcome could have been different.

-Percy

Photo from the NPR

Write To Marry Day - October 29, 2009

The elections are just around the corner and here in California, we have a Proposition that would eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry. I know I have been blogging about Prop 8 a lot lately, but it is very near and dear to my heart, because it affects my family.

Here's my story. I met my partner (now husband) in 1992. We have been together for 16 years, we have a 4-year old son, and we just want the same rights that any loving and committed opposite-sex couple has. We want to be legally recognized as a "couple" under the eyes of the law. We never imagined that as a gay couple we would ever have the opportunity to marry legally in the State of California. In May 2008, that all changed. The California Supreme Court overturned Prop 22's Family Code definition of marriage as being between a man and woman, because the judges saw that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution. So on June 17, 2008 a month after it was overturned, my partner and I were able to legally wed in California, giving us equality and the ability to be full citizens of the State of California.

Now proponents of Prop 8 want to overturn EQUALITY and put discrimination into the California Constitution. The California Constitution is suppose to protect rights of all its citizens, not take them away. So, I encourage all Californians to Vote No on 8, and keep all Californians Equal. This proposition is not about Religious Freedoms, Children, or Tax Exemptions. Proponents of Prop 8 are spreading lies and stating that it would affect their rights, well their rights are already protected under the California Constitution's Free Exercise of Religion clause. Well the truth of the matter is that Prop 8 is about "eliminating the rights of same-sex couples to marry (Period)." To learn the facts vs. the fiction, please visit the Vote No on 8 Website.

Regardless of how you feel about same-sex marriage or the LGBT community, passing Prop 8 would deprive certain CIVIL RIGHTS to a group of people, lowering them to the status of second class citizens. Additionally, it would add discriminatory language in the California Constitution. How would you feel if your rights were taken away?

I encourage all bloggers to blog about Write To Marry Day, today or tomorrow and encourage your California Readers to Vote No on Prop 8.

DON'T STOP AT THE TOP, VOTE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE BALLOT!
NO ON PROP 8!

-Percy

Logo from Mombian

NO on CA Prop 8 - YES to Equality

It's my political statement for the month and this one is very close to my heart. If you are a Californian, I urge you to VOTE NO on CA Prop 8, which would eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to marry. I also ask that you tell your friends, family and loved ones to do the same. The proponents of CA Prop 8 have put out ads that lie about what Prop 8 is and I just want to put the facts in front of all of you.

Fiction: Teaching children about same-sex marriage will happen here unless we pass Prop 8.

Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education, and no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it, and the Yes on 8 campaign knows they are lying. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley has already ruled that this claim by Prop 8 proponents is “false and misleading.”

Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.

Fact: Nothing in Prop 8 would force churches to do anything. In fact, the court decision regarding marriage specifically says “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent's objection to the school curriculum will happen here.

Fact: Unlike Massachusetts, California gives parents an absolute right to remove their kids and opt-out of teaching on health and family instruction they don't agree with. The opponents know that California law already covers this and Prop 8 won't affect it, so they bring up an irrelevant case in Massachusetts.

Fiction: Four Activist Judges in San Francisco…

Fact: Prop 8 is not about courts and judges, it's about eliminating a fundamental right. Judges didn't grant the right, the constitution guarantees the right. Proponents of Prop 8 use an outdated and stale argument that judges aren't supposed to protect rights and freedoms. This campaign is about whether Californians, right now, in 2008 are willing to amend the constitution for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens.

Fiction: People can be sued over personal beliefs.

Fact: California’s laws already prohibit discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This has nothing to do with marriage.

Fiction: Pepperdine University supports the Yes on 8 campaign.

Fact: The university has publicly disassociated itself from Professor Richard Peterson of Pepperdine University, who is featured in the ad, and has asked to not be identified in the Yes on 8 advertisements.

Fiction: Unless Prop 8 passes, CA parents won't have the right to object to what their children are taught in school.

Fact: California law clearly gives parents and guardians broad authority to remove their children from any health instruction if it conflicts with their religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Regardless of how you feel about same-sex marriage, we should not eliminate fundamental rights for ANY Californians. Please vote NO on Prop 8.

PS: Congrats to the State of Connecticut choosing EQUALITY and allowing to legalize same-sex marriages!

-Percy

Facts and Fiction from No On Prop 8
Photo by the Santa Barbara Independent (Wedding Day of Percy Sales and Ross Beardsley) 06/17/08 - Santa Barbara, California

Zac Posen Love & Congrats Ellen & Portia

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi finally tied the knot in a small and intimate wedding, on Saturday, August 16th, in their home in Los Angeles. Nineteen of their family and friends (that's what I call small and intimate) attended the nuptials!

Zac Posen, designer extraordinaire, created both their outfits. Portia wore a beautiful backless halter-top gown with plunging neckline, the effect almost looks like a tuxedo vest. The full skirt was in a beautiful pale pink. Ellen wore an all white ensemble with a vest that is reminiscent of Portia's gown. Both the brides looked beautiful!

I am loving Zac's designs and hope that he will soon create a line of wedding gowns. I am sure it will be a hit for the fashion forward 30-somethings.

Here's to marriage equality and to a happy marriage for Ellen and Portia! For more information on their wedding, please pick up the latest People magazine of go to the People website.

-Percy

Photo by Lara Porzak

Real Weddings: Cesar & John

Here is a PhotoStory of Cesar & John's Wedding, held on June 21, 2008, at Chase Palm Park Center in Santa Barbara, California. The photos are by the incomparable Gloria Plunkett Photography. This is the first time I have posted client photos on my blog...I usually just put it on my Website, but thought I would test it out to see what people thought.

A little background on the couple...Cesar & John have been together for 14 years and have an 18-month old son. On May 15, 2008, the State of California made it legal for gay and lesbian couples to get married. The weekend after the ruling, the couple and their friends, including me, were sitting around and we persuaded them to have a ceremony and reception, since they have never had a commitment ceremony. So after talking it through, they asked me to plan a wedding for 100 of their family and friends the Saturday after gender neutral marriage licenses would be handed out. They had to wait 30 days from the court ruling to be able to get their license, so we planned it for June 21st, though they got their license on the first day they were able to on June 17, 2008...a historic day in California.

So in a month's time, I was able to plan their long awaited wedding and reception. Thank you to all my vendors who worked so diligently to make this day happen for them.

The ceremony was held on the green behind Chase Palm Park Center with gorgeous views of the Santa Barbara Harbor as well as the Channel Islands. Their colors were Tiffany Blue and Chocolate. They had a cocktail hour with passed hors d'oeuvres and a gourmet buffet dinner with an open bar catered by CP Catering by Chef Ledesma (new website currently under construction). Their ceremony flowers were a mixture of green and white gladiolas (unfortunately right before the ceremony, the wind picked up and knocked over the flowers on the stand...so we had to improvise with something smaller). The reception flowers were a mixture of hydrangeas, lilies, and orchids, all created by Gina Morales. Their first dance song was to David Cook's - Time of My Life. Their cake was two flavors...the bottom was chocolate with chocolate ganache filling and the middle and top tier was a white cake with passion fruit and toasted coconut filling, made by the amazing Christine Dahl. They gave their guests picture frames that also served as the seating cards. They threw a bouquet together on the insistence of the single guests, which was pretty funny to see (men and women fighting for a bouquet).

The best part of the wedding was the mixture of cultures and also the mixture of hearing and deaf people. John is deaf and about half of the guests were also deaf. So we hired an interpreter for the ceremony and reception. It was so wonderful to see deaf people dancing the night away to DJ Luke and seeing the interaction between the two groups. Additionally, their wedding coincided with the "Summer Solstice," the longest day of the year...and it was amazing that we had sunlight until almost 9pm that evening. It was truly a magical evening, one that I will treasure a lifetime. In the words of Cesar and John, "We had the wedding of our dreams...you made it a platinum affair on a beer budget." So I hope you will enjoy having a glimpse to their special day.

- Percy

All photos by Gloria Plunkett Photography
Music: I Sing for You from the movie Camp, Kiss by Prince, Groove Is In The Heart by Dee-Lite

Misinformation = Ignorance

This is not an event blog...it's another one of my political blogs, and I really felt the need to post what I was feeling on my blog site. Freedom of speech...right!

I was surfing the web tonight to see what's going on with the whole "gay marriage" thing that had people up in arms prior to June 17th. Conservatives and groups like National Organization for Marriage thought that it would breakdown the American Family, more so than it already was. Well we all know by now that the sky has not fallen and that the world and the US is still in the same state as it was prior to gay couples saying I Do last week. Gas prices are still high, people are still getting foreclosed on, unemployment rate is up, and people are still trying to make ends meet. Shouldn't concentration be placed on how we can fix the US economy...before we worry about what same-sex marriage will do (which is nothing) to the Nation?

I was reading an article on the web and the organization National Organization for Marriage was mentioned in it. They are one of the sponsors who collected signatures to put a ban on same-sex marriages on the California Ballot for November, which if passed will officially put a discriminatory clause into the California Constitution, officially putting certain groups of people, because of their sexual orientation, as not second class citizens and not worthy of equality. As I was scanning their site I went to a tab called "Get Informed" and then to a menu item called "Threat to Marriage." On this Web page they had talking points that people can print out and pass out as well a video of kids talking about mothers and fathers and talking about things like "Grandma, if Grandpa was a woman you can still marry him" with a voice over that says, "If you change the definition of marriage, our kids will be taught a new way of thinking." Well maybe we do need to teach our kids a new way of thinking and teaching them that families come in many different forms, not just nuclear family of the 1950s.

This whole thing just got me fired up and saddened me that some people think that the American Family is and should be only one way, and if it's not - then your family is doomed! I think it's irresponsible and ignorant to think that Americans should only have one model for a family unit, isn't America dubbed as the world's melting pot, thanks to our DIVERSE citizens and their cultural backgrounds. So I read their hand out, which comes in an English and Spanish version. All three versions start with specifics for Catholics, Protestants and the Jewish Faith, but all three have the following as the same, which they call the 7 scientific reasons (funny they use the word scientific, because most Christians do not even believe in the scientific notion of evolution...so why should they believe this?) by the way I have put my comments in red to each of their "7 Scientific Reasons":

1. Marriage reduces the risk of poverty for children and communities. The majority of children whose parents don’t get or stay married, experience at least a year of poverty.
   According to the US Census Bureau, currently there are 32.2 million people living in poverty...are you saying that most of these 32.2 million people in poverty in the US is from single parents or gay parents...you must be delusional. Please my parents have been married for 41 years and I know there was a time we lived in poverty where my parents scraped to make ends meet. I think most families regardless of marital status have experienced a level of poverty in the US. Additionally, I am sure that a many of the people you are trying to reach is also living below the poverty line and most likely married.
2. Fatherless households increase crime. Boys whose parents divorced or never married, for example, are two to three times more likely to end up in jail as adults.
   What kind of statement is this? I know many kids, boys included, who are products of divorced parents or came from single parent households and the majority of them are doing well and all have never been in jail. I know of kids and boys who come from parents who are married who have ended up in jail and have criminal backgrounds. Just recently a boy in Oxnard, CA who came from a non-divorce household - shot a kid in the head for being gay. So who should we be more worried about? Does it really matter if there is a mother and father, a single mother, a single father, a mother and mother or father and father, as long as the kids get unconditional love, guidance and support? Aren't our goals as parents to teach our kids right from wrong and to give them the best guidance we can so that they can make the right decisions as adults?
3. Marriage protects children’s physical and mental health. Children whose parents get and stay married are healthier and also much less likely to suffer mental illness, including depression and teen suicide.
   This is another idiotic comment, where do they get these "scientific reasons." I've met kids who have been born to married parents with physical problems or who have developed mental health issues because of the pressures from other kids. Additionally, I know kids who have suffered from anorexia and bulimia because their mothers constantly tell them they are too fat or not as pretty as their friends, and this is from straight married couples. Additionally, there are a lot of gay kids out there who are living with depression or who have committed suicide, because they don't think society will accept them or have parents who are supportive of them. Children whose parents get married and stay married are no healthier than those living with single parents or gay parents. I personally think kids from single parents and gay parents do better because they are more open minded to the greater society.
4. Both men and women who marry live longer, healthier and happier lives. On virtually every measure of health and well-being, married people are better-off than otherwise similar singles, on average.
   So how do you explain Del Martin and Phyllis Lyons, a lesbian couple who are both in their 80s and who have been together for 50 years. They sure lived a full long and healthy life and mostly happy, except for the discrimination they have lived through from people who discriminated against them. I know many straight married couples who live together because of convenience, not because of love, does not mean they are healthier or happier than my partner and I. I know many straight people who were married and who have died younger than some of their gay friends. I also know singles that are happily single including one who has never been married and is currently 90 years old. So this statement is a little misleading.
5. Just living together is not the same as marriage. Married couples who cohabit first are thirty to fifty percent more likely to divorce. People who just live together do not get the same boost to health, welfare and happiness, on average, as spouses. Neither do their children. Children whose parents cohabit are at increased risk for domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. Children born to parents who were just living together are also three times more likely to experience their parents’ breakup by age 5.
   This is a crazy statement. How many of your readers lived together before they were married? I know people who never lived together before they got married, who are divorced now. Boost in welfare...how many married couples are suffering and losing their homes because their income can no longer sustain their living? If marriage boosts welfare why are there so many Americans just trying to make it to their next paycheck to survive, pawning their wedding rings to buy gas, and going bankrupt? Boost in happiness - how many Americans are currently taking anti-depressant pills that are in a marriage? Boost in health...isn't America the most obese nation in the world? Children in increased risk for domestic violence, child abuse and neglect - how many kids have died because their married mothers or fathers were so consumed with their own needs that they have left kids in their cars, or did not notice that the kid fell into the family pool - isn't that neglect? How many kids are in the foster care system because of abuse, domestic violence and neglect from married households? Neglect, domestic violence and abuse come from the parents not focusing on their kids and only focused on their needs and wants. I know a lot more single parents and gay parents who do everything for their kids and let their own needs and wants subside just to provide for their children.
6. Parents who don’t get or stay married put children’s education at risk. Children whose parents divorced or never married have lower grade point averages, are more likely to be held back a grade, and to drop out of school. They are also less likely to end up college graduates.
   I know many kids from single parents and gay parents who have extremely high grade point averages and have graduated from some of the most prestigious colleges in the US. There are more kids that I run across, from married parents, who let their education subside so they can focus on starting their own family. How about the number of teens who become pregnant and become single mothers or fathers who come from married parents? What you should say is that kids from conservative, fundamentalist, close minded, married couples tend to be the bullies in school who ridicule those kids who are different from them.
7. When marriages fail, ties between parents and children typically weaken too. Adult children whose parents divorced are only half as likely to have warm, close ties to both their mothers and their fathers. For example, in one large national survey, 65 percent of adult children of divorce reported they were not close to their fathers (compared to 29 percent of adults from intact marriages).
   Well isn't that why people divorce in the first place because the relationship between the couples has weakened? I think why kids of divorce have weakened relationships with their dads or moms is because there are a lot of deadbeat parents who don't do anything to support their kids - how many single moms or dads out there have not received child support from their former spouses? I'm sure this weakens the ties with the kids, because the kids see that their parents could care less about them, emotionally, physically and financially.

Anyway, now that I have a headache from being sick (must be because of my married parents) and all this misinformation on the part of National Organization for Marriage I encourage all Californians to VOTE NO to this ballot measure in November. Don't put discrimination in the California Constitution. Gay marriage is not going to change the way you live, the only thing it changes is that it gives TWO CONSENTING ADULTS in love the opportunity to marry each other - for better or for worst. If what National Organization for Marriage says is true, that people who are married have better health and well-being, and that married people are better-off than otherwise similar singles, why shouldn't gays and lesbians have the opportunity to tap into those benefits as well? Why should happiness, well-being and good health only be limited to the straight community?

Raising kids is not about having a mother and father, it's about having PARENTS who give them unconditional love, support, and encouragement. It's about raising kids to be the best they can be, to open them up to the possibilities of the world and to teach them the acceptance of all human beings. Just because a kid has a mother and a father does not make them any happier, healthier, smarter, or better than those kids raised in single parent households, or who have gay parents. So these reasons for people to vote for the ban of gay marriage are just ignorant.

Ultimately isn't it all about love and the notion of Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness? Whatever happened to the thought that all humans were created equal? I believe that all humans have the right to happiness and that any person has the right to marry the ONE CONSENTING ADULT that they love. So let equality ring and stay informed.

-Percy

Logo from National Organization for Marriage

Back and Legally Married!

Well you have been probably wondering why I haven't blogged since last Friday. Well I have been in the midst of planning my wedding, as well as clients, who are getting married on June 21st. I had guests arrive on Sunday and have been entertaining as well.

As of June 17, 2008 at 10:00am (well a few minutes after), my partner, Ross, and I were legally married in the State of California, well actually we got our license around 8am, but the Mayor of Santa Barbara, Marty Blum, officially signed the document and sealed our legal marriage just after 10.

We were married in the Santa Barbara Courthouse Bell Tower that has amazing 360 degree views of the City of Santa Barbara. Along with about 30 friends and family and a slew of media, we said our vows to one another and made it official. There was so much emotion in the bell tower that it's hard to explain the feeling, except for extreme Joy.

We would like to thank Mama's Voices, a local gospel choir, for singing at our ceremony, they sang "Oh Happy Day" as we were pronounced husband and husband and released balloons from the bell tower. Thank you also to Christine Dahl for providing a beautiful wedding cake, our friends who hosted our wonderful and yummy luncheon reception at their home, and our family and friends for supporting our 16-year relationship and for being part of this historical day.

We had our commitment ceremony in 2005 and thought that this would just be a topper to that, but I have to tell you, it was just as fun and emotional. So as I continue to bask in marital bliss, I will end my blog for today on my own wedding.

If you would like to see some coverage of our historic wedding day, please visit the links below (make sure to watch the videos too):

KEYT Channel 3 Santa Barbara (June 16, 2008)
KEYT Channel 3 Santa Barbara (June 17, 2008)
KSBY Channel 6 Santa Barbara (June 17, 2008)
MSNBC (June 17, 2008)
Santa Barbara Independent (June 19, 2008)

-Percy

Photo by Cesar Juarez

MTV's True Life Casting for Couples Having Destination Weddings

MTV's True Life is looking for couples 18-28 who are planning destination weddings in July and August 2008! If you are a same-sex or straight couple and fit the age and date criteria and are looking to have your destination wedding shown on national media, this show is for you. If you would like to be on the show, please email married2@mtvstaff.com with your story and your grand plans for your wedding.

True Life employs first-person narrative storytelling to provide a window into the lives of young Americans. To date, the series has explored topics as complex as living with a disorder such as autism or obsessive-compulsive disorder; living in extreme poverty; and being deployed to and returning from military service in Iraq.

Below are two casting calls for the show. The first one is for same-sex couples and the next one is for any couple (18-28) planning a destination wedding.

True Life: I'm Having a Destination Wedding (same-sex couples)

From South Africa to California, Gay Destination weddings are becoming incredibly popular. Are you Gay and going somewhere far from home to tie the knot?

Whether you're getting married in a tropical area such as the Caribbean, or Hawaii or if you've decided to celebrate in Europe, Asia, Africa or even in Massachusetts or California we want to hear from you. Make your wedding even more extraordinary by having MTV document your journey.

We're looking to follow young people who are getting married this July or August that appear to be between the ages of 18 and 28. Email married2@mtvstaff.com and tell us your story. Please be sure to include your name, age, location, date of the wedding, phone number, and a photo.

True Life: I'm Having a Destination Wedding (all couples)

You don't have to be a celebrity to get married like one! Are you adding a twist to your big day, by tying the knot thousands of miles from your home? Is there something cultural/spiritual/emotional tying you to the spot you've chosen? Have you always been the adventurous type and could only imagine having a wedding somewhere completely off the beaten path?

Whether you're getting married in a tropical area such as the Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii or if you've decided to celebrate in Europe, Asia, Africa or even a domestic seaside location we want to hear from you. Make your wedding even more extraordinary by having MTV document your journey.

We're looking to follow young people who are getting married this July or August that appear to be between the ages of 18 and 28. Email married2@mtvstaff.com and tell us your story. Please be sure to include your name, location, date of the wedding, phone number, and a photo.

Additionally, if you are looking for a planner to assist you with your destination wedding, please contact Percy Sales Events and we will be happy to make your destination wedding all you have ever dreamed of.

-Percy

Logo from MTV

Finally Over the Rainbow...Gay Marriages Gets the Green Light

Today the California Supreme Court gave the final green light to gay/same-sex marriages to begin on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, turning down requests for a stay until the November 3rd elections. This is very exciting news not only for me, but gays and lesbians throughout California. For more information regarding today's news, please visit the following link.

For same-sex couples who are looking at last minute nuptials this summer and need assistance in planning your special and legal day, please do not hesitate to contact me at Percy Sales Events. My team can plan your last minute wedding with no problems. We have a handful of vendors who have openings and can provide you the dream wedding day as you have always envisioned it.

Additionally, in celebration of this momentous occasion, I will donate 10% of my fees to Equality California, Ventura County Rainbow Alliance or The Pacific Pride Foundation to any couple who mentions these organizations specifically.

Let Percy Sales Events be your "Fairy Godmother" for your wedding day and leave all the details to us. We can plan your dream day in a short amount of time throughout California, thanks to our accommodating and dedicated associates. For more information please visit the Percy Sales Events Website or call us at (805) 637-7984 to discuss your wedding needs.

-Percy

Photo of Ross and Percy at their commitment ceremony, Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 2.12.05 by Don Earl

Let California Ring

Okay so this is not another party blog…but more of a political statement for me. We all know by now that The California Supreme Court has extended marriage to same-sex couples. This must see video is produced by Let California Ring (www.letcaliforniaring.org) and says it all. "Let this moving short; show you how and why we need to spark conversations about the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples across California."

Even though the California Supreme Court has voted to okay same-sex marriages...conservative groups and the religious right are trying to put a ballot measure on the November elections to permanently discriminate against gays and lesbians by changing the California Constitution to define marriage as one man and one woman. Why can't marriage just be defined as two consenting adults?

Love is love and no matter what, marriage is bound by the love to TWO consenting adults. Some of the people trying to put this ballot in November is stating that if we allow this, then some people will want to marry their pets or animals or have multiple marriages recognized...this is ridiculous! Marriage should be about the bond of TWO CONSENTING ADULTS, not three or four or five or with animals. What gays and lesbians are wanting is the ability to marry the ONE person that they love, just like heterosexuals around the world. It’s about protecting our families, protecting ourselves, acknowledging that we also have lifelong companions, and not making the LGBT community feel like second-class citizens.

If you live in California, I ask that you vote no against this ballot measure, should it make its way to the November ballots. It’s discriminatory and goes against the saying that “all humans are created equal.” Please keep equality in California at the forefront and help to elevate this to the Federal level. Regardless of your religious beliefs, what I ask from a human perspective is, “how would you feel if you were not able to marry the one person you love?” End of my political statement.

-Percy

Video from Let California Ring, www.letcaliforniaring.org

Marriage Equality in California - FINALLY!

SAN FRANCISCO: In an historic decision today, the California Supreme Court ruled that same-gender couples deserve the freedom to marry under California law. The landmark ruling makes California the first state in the nation to give lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people full equality. (From Equality California)

This is very exciting news, not just because it provides all couples the freedom to marry, but it shows that all couples in love have the ability to marry legally if they chose to.

For my partner, Ross, and me, we have been together 16 years; now we have the opportunity to legally wed. In 2005, in celebration of our 13th anniversary, we had a commitment ceremony and celebration that was attended by 170 of our closest friends and family. This act of commitment came with no license and no legal protections. We are registered domestic partners...which do not have the same benefits and safeguards that a legal marriage provides.

Now in a smaller ceremony, Ross and I will take the plunge to be one of many same-gender, committed, and dedicated couples to marry in California within the next 30 days. I feel so happy that our partnership will now be legally recognized as a solemn marriage in the State of California. Now we are hoping that one day it will be recognized on a National/Federal level.

This is definitely one small step to marriage equality; we still have a lot of work to get it recognized on a Federal level. California is the second state, next to Massachusetts, to recognize same-sex marriages as legal, but the first to recognize same-sex marriages regardless of residency.

For all you other same-sex couples, if you need a wedding planner...look no further and call me! I am ready to plan the most memorable wedding for you...I know, you're gay and you can create the "fabulousness" yourself, but trust me you want someone to manage your day, so that you can enjoy it.

For more information about my services, please visit my Website Percy Sales Events. I have many venues/vendors that can accommodate your wedding this summer and on a short notice, so please feel free to call me and we can work out the details. Additionally, in celebration of this momentous occasion, I will donate 5% of my fees for same-sex couple bookings between May 2008 and November 2008 to Equality California, Let California Ring, or Human Rights Campaign (you choose where it goes) in your name. Additionally I will donate 10% of my fees to Ventura County Rainbow Alliance or The Pacific Pride Foundation to any couple who mentions these two organizations specifically.

Here's to marriage equality and the freedom to marry the one you love!

-Percy

Photo of Ross and Percy during their first dance 02.12.05 by Joya Thomas