I’m getting married
This morning’s decision by the California Supreme Court means I no longer have to be an unwed father. And for a change, even our Governor is onboard:
I respect the court’s decision and as governor, I will uphold its ruling. As I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state supreme court ruling.
Granted, he could have simply signed his name on bills when I asked him, but better late than never.
His quote refers to the dark cloud on the horizon, a ballot initiative to amend the state constitution, which is pretty much the only way to overrule the court at this point. But that’s tomorrow’s fight.
As it stands, I’m planning on getting hitched this summer. It’s been a very long engagement.


May 15th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Congratulations!!!!!!
May 15th, 2008 at 11:44 am
One more thing that Ca now has over NY.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am
PS- it’s great to hear about the state rights, but this doesn’t address u unfortunately either the federal or interstate rights.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Congrats :-)
May 15th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Congrats! I am so proud to live in CA today.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Really glad for you, John. I wish you two the best.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Congratulations!! Looks like you already have the flower girl :-)
As a conventional heterosexual, I’ve never understood why people have a problem with gay couples getting hitched. My gay friends’ partnerships have way outlasted my attempts at coupling and positively affect everyone around them. You should be entitled to the same rights and benefits (and potential for divorce drama) as the rest of us.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Congratulations. I just heard the great news.
My wife and I are from Massachusetts, the first state to get the ball rolling. We were proud to get married at a time when everyone could.
As such she is Partner A and I took Partner B.
We both feel that everyone should have civil unions… as marriage is too tied to old ideas.
But as I’ve always said, my gay brothers and sisters should have the same rights to be miserable as all the rest of us.
If Obama wins, I see more great change on the way…
As for Arnold, I loved his movies and he’s an old school Repulican. And you know he’s not crazy because he married a member of the Kennedy clan. He at least has a world view and seems to listen to the people of his state. He’s got the ability to change his mind and do things for his state that he might not agree with. That’s all you want in a leader. He’s not perfect by any means, but you know George Bush wouldn’t let that pass.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Congrats, John!
May 15th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Seriously only 2 states now in this country allow same sex marriages? Pitiful.
But this is great news for CA and for you! Congrats.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Don’t forget the pre-nup. =p
May 15th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Congrats, sir!
May 15th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
congratulations, Mr August, to you and yours.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
congratulations, john! i’m happy for you and your family.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
That’s fantastic, John! We’ll require photos of the happy day, of course.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Congrats. This new found joy better not delay any of your movies!!! We need some John August goodness in theaters!! :)
May 15th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Mazel tov!
May 15th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Big congrats! I’m really excited about this. (And I hate to be the first one to post it, but doesn’t this mean that Angelina and Brad will marry now, too?)
May 15th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Seriously good show.
I’m proud that we live in a country where, no matter how long it takes, no matter how loud people crow against it — individual states, and individual people, are allowed to advance and make progress as they see fit.
Congrats, John.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Congrats, John…
May 15th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Man, we’ve got the same silly thing on our state Constitution in Ohio. Those S.O.B.s specifically passed a law to ban gay marriage. Of course I voted against it.
As a protest, the wife and I didn’t even want to get married. But she needed medical insurance (and of course I love her) so we got hitched.
I’m happy for you and it’s unfortunate that the world can be ugly.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
What they said.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
congrats! Now we just need the other 48 states (and my home territory of DC) to get up off their butts and get on the right side of history!
May 15th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Congratulations to you and yours.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Great news for you and many other people. By the way, I had never even heard you were gay before this.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Congrats! And its about time!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Ditto to everyone’s sentiments above. California just took a big step into the 21st century. Where will you guys be registered?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Congrats, John!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Congratulations John, and all other gay couples out there… I will be sure to vote no on that bill in November.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Congratulations!
I was extremely happy when I heard about the ruling this morning. It’s good to see a state step up and stop the suppression of civil rights.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Congratulations!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Congratulations, John!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Okay. Just remember that candles on the tables are a lot cheaper than flower arrangements. And if you give your bridesmaids a color and a length, you’re really better off letting them pick their own dresses.
Oh there’s so much to do!
Also, congrats and good luck. We’re all counting on you.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Congrats and best wishes!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I just want everyone to be happy.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Congratulations, John!
In the governor’s defense, at least he’s being consistent. He said he would prefer to leave the decision up to the courts.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Proud to live in California! So happy for you and all us gays! You’re living the (gay screenwriter) dream!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Congratulations, John! (And of course also to the soon-to-be Mr. August.)
A happy day for your family, and many others around the state.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
There’s nothing that I can say that hasn’t already been said.
Those of us on this side of the Atlantic are really happy for you, your partner and your daughter.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
My eyes went three sizes bigger when I saw this headline in my feed reader. Congratulations, and congratulations again. It’s about time this country lets decent people live their lives.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
p.s. WE EXPECT PHOTOS! :p
May 15th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Many congrats!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
. . . and a slice of cyber cake.
we all need cyber cake.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Wonderful news! I suspect it will be a busy summer for a lot of friends.
RED
May 15th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
In the letter I sent disagreeing with the dissenting opinion of Justice Marvin Baxter (who agreed with many arguments of the majority but said the court overstepped its authority.),”…Changes to marriage laws should be decided by the voters.” In part I asked him how would you like your marriage to be decided by voters? Imagine that insult should the voters find you unworthy of enjoying the love and commitment every citizen who chooses marriage enjoys. I don’t think you’d enjoy being a second class citizen in your own state or country, do you?
I hope that our state (and it’s a great day to call yourself a “Californian” isn’t it) shames all the other states and every territory in to finally doing the right thing–which is, to say, at the very least, long, long overdue–for its citizens.
Congrats, John. May your wedding day be the first of a lifetime of wedded bliss.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
i had no idea you were gay… congrats! its funny being a christian in the midwest and being FOR gay marriage. i am definitely the minority. i wish you two the best!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Congratulations, John!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Felicitations! I wish you the best of everything that life has to offer.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
That’s Great News, John! Congratulations and all the best.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Congrats! Here’s hopeing it’ll be a beautiful ceremony.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Great news John, congrats!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Mazel Tov!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
“We need to recognize that a government that would deny a gay man the right to bridal registry is a fascist state.” — Margaret Cho
Congratulations, John!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Best wishes, John!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Ode to Joy plays in background
John, all my blessings for a joyous, prosperous, fun, sexy, challenging, hilarious, wicked awesome marriage!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I just heard the news now, and John–you were the first person that came to mind. I’m so happy for the two of you.
I wish you two the very best.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Congratulations J. And let’s all hope the rest of the country catches up with Mass and Cali soon.
May 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
CONGRATS! Check out my blog for some romantic inspiration…
May 15th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I don’t even have very many gay folks in my life, and none looking to get married anytime soon, but I was soooo glad when I heard about the court ruling. I’m a little afraid that it’ll get overturned in November, but for now congrats and enjoy!
May 15th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Huge congrats John. You could have always come to Massachusetts! We’re cool with it (or at least most people vote that way). Is it gonna be a themed wedding or what? D&D maybe? GTA IV? WOW?
May 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Not that this even means jack-squat but congratulations, I’ve been an avid reader for at least half a decade and I’m delighted to still be here to wish you all the best in your wedding. Thanks for all your advice over the years and best of luck with your marriage. Hip Hip … Horay.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
John, your site is great. You give more of your free time and energy than we really deserve. And you’ve made me embarrass myself a number of times in public by crying at the end of BIG FISH. And you’re a fellow USC alum. For that reason, I’ll just say that I’m glad you’re happy and I’ll keep my views on this subject to myself.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Yay! Much happiness to you!
May 15th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
So, no Jingle All the Way 2 then?
Congratulations, John.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Mazel Tov
May 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Congrats. Now you don’t have to introduce your significant other as your partner. It always sounded too formal but boyfriend/girlfriend just doesn’t cut it when you have been together for a long time.
Now to find out if I can buy stock in Crate & Barrel.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Yay, freedom!
Congratulations, John!
May 15th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Congratulations! The news was great; this news is even better. So happy for you.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
As happy as I am for you, I fear the only reason this measure was overturned was to create a wedge issue to sway the presidential elections. I can see the pundits sharpening their knives already.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Congrats!!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
CONGRATS!
Everybody is supposed to live his/her own life apart from any rules and laws. Who decides how other people can or must live? It’s shame in these days!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
congrats, sir!
May 15th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Awesome. Simply awesome. Congratulations!
May 15th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Canada is proud for you.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Congratulations from Spain!!
May 15th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Congratualations!!
May 16th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Congratulations :-)
May 16th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Congrats John!
Quote Sarah 71: Everybody is supposed to live his/her own life apart from any rules and laws.
Wow! Really? where?
May 16th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Congrats! And thanks for a great site.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Many, many congratulations!
May 16th, 2008 at 2:46 am
Congratulations from Denmark!
May 16th, 2008 at 2:52 am
@Laurent By saying this, I didn’t mean “every law/rule”… I meant laws that minimize people’s freedom as in this particular case here. Who is allowed to tell somebody with whom s/he can be together or get married with? Nobody can!
May 16th, 2008 at 3:36 am
Great news!
Congratulations are truly in order!
May 16th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Congratulaions to you & Mike.
May 16th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Congratulations!
May 16th, 2008 at 5:35 am
HUGE Congrats, John!!! (and Mike, of course)
Don’t forget…make sure they don’t throw rice. It’s birdseed you’re supposed to throw now.
Gay birdseed.
May 16th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Congrats John! Post pictures!
May 16th, 2008 at 5:59 am
I remember being a little kid and my parents explaining to me that gays couldn’t marry and I just couldn’t understand it. I still can’t. Go CA – proud to be born here! Yay!
May 16th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Congratulations to you and your family! Ditto on posting pics.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:40 am
This is amazing news, John! Not just the court ruling, but the announcement of the planned wedding. Fantastic!
May 16th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Huzzah! Awesome!! I’m glad you posted this, because you’re the first person I thought of when I heard about the news.
Make sure you have an open bar. And get a horse drawn carriage to lead you away from the reception. :)
May 16th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Thanks, all. Closing comments now so it doesn’t become an out-of-control thread.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Congratulations!!! I’m happy for you and your husband.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Congratulations! I’ve always been opposed to the ballot initiative system. We have a representative democracy for a reason — one of which is to make sure that the people making the decision are well-enough informed to properly weigh the decision, and the other, perhaps more important reason, is to protect minority rights. Had the majority ruled on the important issue of Civil Rights, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would never have been passed. This is another issue where the will of the majority, whatever that may be, is simply irrelevant. That the majority might wish to deny basic rights is not reason enough to do it. This is long overdue and I’m thrilled.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Not sure if this will make it through since you said you were closing comments.. But I’ll try anyways. Jennifer and I are so very happy for you two. And, I’ll just go ahead and speak for the rest of my family when I say, Congratulations!!
May 16th, 2008 at 10:54 am
ok@ sarah1feelunow
May 16th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
That’s great news John! Congratulations to you and your partner.
May 16th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Congrats!
May 16th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Congratulations! It is a good time to be a Californian!