Kristin Beasley and her partner Candi Hood - who have been together for about five years - were part of the demonstration at San Francisco City Hall.
“We had actually applied for a license in Visalia, and were denied,” Dr. Beasley said.
“We were asked if we would consider going and being arrested,” Beasley explained.
Pending a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, Proposition 8 still is the law of the land in California. Voters decided marriage should remain between a man and a woman. It’s something pastor Jim Franklin, from Fresno’s Cornerstone Church, agrees with.
“I believe in the traditional marriage that has been the law of the land and the law of history…marriage defined as between one man and one woman,” Franklin said.
On March 26th the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Proposition 8, which says only marriage between a man and a woman is valid in California.
“This is an injustice that I think a lot of people don't understand why its important,” Candi Hood argued.
“We will never have full equality until everybody embraces diversity,” Dr. Beasley said.
But Franklin believes the public has already spoken.
“What we see happening across the United States is individuals and states have chosen to define marriage as that between one man and one woman,” Franklin said.
Thursday's demonstration was designed to put a spotlight on the issue leading up to next month's court hearing.
The Central Valley residents arrested Thursday were: Jennifer McGuire, Robin McGehee, Candi Hood and Dr. Kristin Beasley.