Last Friday morning as I made my way to San Francisco’s City Hall to participate in a half day briefing to global ambassadors, digital leaders (am proud to be selected as one of the top 70 by the UN). politicians and entrepreneurs, I received a few texts about the SCOTUS Ruling that finally made same sex legal in the United States, albeit behind other countries such as Ireland as an example. The ruling was won in a 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges — the Supreme Court took a huge step forward and made millions around the country (and world) ecstatic with as President Obama put it a “more perfect union.”
The White House, photo from Newsweek
Niagara Falls, photo from www.inquisitr.com.
Empire State Building, Photo from Inhabitat
Photo at Disney, photo from www.inquisitr.com.
Photo from Coca Cola London Eye.
San Francisco City Hall, photo from Antonio Mazzaro – Google+.
President Obama hailed the ruling saying in the Rose Garden justice has arrived “like a thunderbolt” for gay and lesbian couples. It absolutely seems like the right word, at least that’s how I felt, as I heard screams of joy on the steps of City Hall while we sat inside listening to politicians honor the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. The shouts became part of a different historical moment in time and even Nancy Pelosi who came a podium talk during the #UN70 event, acknowledged that San Francisco was where “it all began” — what an honor to be there on that very emotional day.
President Obama said publicly “Progress on this journey often comes in small increments, sometimes two steps forward, one step back, propelled by the persistent effort of dedicated citizens.” Indeed so Obama, indeed so.
Two days later, I found myself participating in the San Francisco Gay Pride festivities starting with Sunday morning’s several hour long parade that marched down Market Street, which closed off countless streets in central San Francisco. The City Hall was surrounded by vendors who set up tables selling rainbow hats, t-shirts, key chains, cards and more and people danced in the streets, kissed publicly and took over strips of grass for picnic time and just relaxing. Let’s just say the energy was electric, the vibe was explosive and everyone who showed up — gay or straight — played full out! Celebration was in the air given the recent ruling and to be part of it in the very same city where it all began was an emotional and wonderful historical moment.
Let’s go on a visual journey — from the parade itself on Market Street to Civic Center and the surrounding streets in the area that were sectioned off for GAY PRIDE 2015!
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
