Supreme Court ruling adds to San Francisco celebration this Pride Weekend

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - This weekend, the Castro is living up to its reputation that it knows how to party. Many people are there for pride weekend.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage adds to the joyful mood in the LGBT community.

Friday night's decision day rally inspired reflection about the long legal struggle for marriage equality.

Many same sex couples married 11 years ago had their unions later voided. It's now a new day.

"We're a family. We have a child. The idea that you can move from one place to another in this country and somebody can say you don't count here...that's gone now," said Wendy Daw of Fremont who attended the rally with her wife and their eight-year-old son.

Some say they have a new perspective.

"We're also celebrating being Americans for the first time. We're being included by our country as same class of citizens as everyone else and it's a really amazing place to be. It's a great day to celebrate," said Dan Anderson from Washington, D.C.

A boy and his family from Orinda were among many who came to the Castro to support same sex couples.

"I believe very strongly that when same sex couples weren't afforded the same rights that I had, that they didn't have the same dignity and equality under the law and today they do. It's incredible," said Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, wife and mother of three from Orinda.

Community leaders, activists and politicians spoke at the rally about the long struggle for marriage equality.

It was a joyful celebration with eyes on the future. A banner reads "it's not over."

"There's a lot of work to be done for equal protections in housing and employment... in all kinds of areas. There's much more work to be done," said Jim Rimefierd of Washington, D.C.

But for now, the LGBT community is savoring a long awaited decision in their favor.

"It's a relief. I'm relaxed. It's over and now we don't have to check and see if the state we end up retiring is one where we're still married," said Diane Caldwell who's been with her wife for 32 years.

Many people describe it as an incredible feeling to have the nation's highest court say the LGBT community deserves equal rights.

The rally was over Friday night, but the celebration is definitely just getting started.