worldwide pablo: That was the week that was

"Why should you love him whom the world hates so?"
--Mortimer to King Edward, "Edward II" by Christopher Marlowe

In the middle 1960s, when Worldwide Pablo was growing up, the NBC network aired a comedy program named after and based upon a BBC program of the same name: "That Was The Week That Was." WWP's always been fond of that title. The network often referred to it as TWTWTW, or sometimes just TW3. Headed by the now-journalist David Frost, the program boasted a style viewers of "Saturday Night Live" or "Mad TV" would well recognize today. TW3 even preceded the later and more famous Rowan & Martin "Laugh In" by a few years, on the same American network.

All of which is a long introduction to this evening's post about the week of March 1, 2004, in Multnomah County, Oregon. Perhaps we didn't have brilliant comedic setups or British announcers. But we did have plenty of television, and as Portlanders will remember for years to come, it has been "the week that was."

WWP had his own reasons for celebration on Monday, having nothing to do with current events. But in no less than one day, the best possible gifts arrived, when word leaked that Multnomah County would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples the next morning. The gay and lesbian partners first came in droves, then by the hundreds. By week's end, some 1,300 same-sex couples had taken out marriage licenses and, presumably, exchanged vows. For three days now, a palpable euphoria has embedded itself in Portland. Every gay establishment sizzles with excitement, the flowers are flying off the shelves at ordinary neighborhood Safeways, the automobile horns sound off in approval, and the corsages and boutonnières are ubiquitous. No need to wonder why, among straights and gays alike. Everyone gets it. It's in the air. Portland is having a big fat gay wedding.

All of this is the backdrop for WWP's Thursday evening and Friday morning, which unfolded thusly:

Phone call from WWP's associate pastor: Two of the congregation's couples, both of gay males, are taking out marriage licenses. Can you attend the weddings?
Time for "Thursday drinks" with friends, as usual at Starky's. There's gentle joking about the gay marriages, mostly about the fact that so far it's been mostly women stepping up to take vows. Where are the men?, several ask. The bartender responds: "They're still at home getting ready!" Much laughter.
Finally, WWP friends Stuart Z. and Kim B. arrive, announcing to everyone's surprise, "We're married!" The entire establishment erupts in applause and toasts. The hubbub dies down. Another couple nearby announces, "Us too!" More glee, more toasts. And then another couple: "And us!" And then another couple. [Who said gay marriage wouldn't be good for the economy?] Later, yet another newlywed couple arrives and announces their nuptials. The usually quiet and taciturn bar crowd resembles something more of a rally or a bar mitzvah party than a normal quiet Thursday night at southeast Portland's popular gay bar and restaurant. Everyone's talking, to one another, toasting, sending complimentary drinks to other tables. It has the air of, well, a wedding reception.

Off to see Triangle Productions' "Edward II," the new adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's tale of England's tortured gay prince. A king gives up his kingdom, his wife, and ultimately his life, for the love of another man. How can this be happening on this day?, WWP thinks to himself. [And by the way, the talented Michael Mendelsohn sizzles in this riveting, if underappreciated, production of the Marlowe classic.]

Phone call from Couple No. 1: The wedding is on Saturday at 2 p.m. Can you be there? WWP responds: "Where are you registered?"

Friday morning breakfast with the associate pastor and other like-minded United Methodists: Nevermind about Couple No. 2, she says. While applying for their marriage license Thursday, Couple No. 2 "got caught up in the process" and impulsively decided to marry right there, on the outbound steps of the Multnomah Building, with the assistance of a local clergyperson willing to officiate.

Can mere words do justice to this joy? Is there any adequate way to describe how Portlanders feel at this special moment? How do we honor the memory of this week in future times?

Tomorrow, WWP presses a shirt and heads off to Bill and David's wedding. He'll be taking along an extra portion of Kleenex.

Oh, and by the way: Here's hoping, just this once, that WWP catches the bouquet.

Mortimer: "Why should you love him whom the world hates so?"
Edward: "Because he loves me more than all the world."

Comments

Where are the men?, several ask. The bartender responds: "They're still at home getting ready!" Much laughter.

Priceless. Great reporting.

Out here in East Bluecollar Portland, the only noticeable excitement was all about them supersizing the Slurpees at 7-11. Guess I better get to downtown more.

Posted by: Kevin Hayden | Saturday, March 06, 2004 at 08:51 PM