Gay couples to get 'certificates of inequality'
Associated Press
February 3, 2007

WOODLAND, Calif. -- The woman who oversees civil marriage in Yolo County, Calif., is planning to issue "certificate of inequality" to same-sex couples on Valentine's Day.

It's her way of protesting California's ban on gay marriage. They will say, "I issue this Certificate of Inequality to you because your choice of marriage partner displeases some people whose displeasure is, apparently, more important than principles of equality."

The Sacramento Bee reported that Yolo County Clerk-Recorder Freddie Oakley said she designed the certificates because she is tired of denying marriage licenses to gays and lesbians.

"We don't discriminate against people on the basis of age, or health, or disability, or race, or ethnicity, or religion, but we do on the basis of gender in this matter," she told the paper. "I feel it's inappropriate."

Some critics told the Bee that it was wrong of Oakley, an elected official, to distribute her certificates from a public building.

"The people pay government officials to implement the law and to faithfully execute the law," said Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families, which lobbies on social issues. "Not to ridicule the law and perform stunts that advocate the overthrow of marriage." But Oakley told the paper that turning same-sex couples away without marriage licenses makes her feel "like a good German, in the Third Reich, who enforced bad laws."

After the message on the certificate is Oakley's name, title and words of encouragement to same-sex couples: "May the God of your choice bless you."