A walk across the Golden Gate Bridge was held Saturday, June 3, in support of same-sex marriage on the eve of renewed efforts to pass a federal constitutional amendment defining the union as being between one man and one woman. About 120 people took part in the event.

Walkers who crossed the span met up with Jennifer Schumaker, a lesbian mother of four, who completed a 500-mile trek on foot from San Diego in support of LGBT visibility.

The event was co-sponsored by Marriage Equality USA and by Marriage Equality New York and featured a simultaneous walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Marchers in San Francisco met early at Crissy Field for the 1.7 mile hike and returned for a noon press conference. Speakers included Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), MEUSA Executive Director Davina Kotulski, San Francisco Police Commissioner Theresa Sparks, and others.

Schumaker said she made the walk across the state to encourage dialogue that recognizes that LGBT people and their families, friends, and allies are fully connected.

"I have seen how sharing my personal story as a lesbian parent with the hundreds of people I have encountered on my walk is helping more Americans realize that these divisive efforts to restrict marriage only weakens our country," she said. "We are so much stronger as a nation when we stand up for equality and freedom for all families, including gay and lesbian families."

Kotulski said the bridge walks on both coasts were designed to raise visibility and educate fair-minded Americans about the 1,400 legal protections that come with civil marriage and the harms that befall same-sex couples because of marriage discrimination.

"Life with dignity should be a given," Leno said.

Marchers who participated included LGBT couples and supportive parents, and many came from out of town to take part.

Frank Capley, 31, and Joe Alfano, 35, a San Francisco couple, said they have been together for six years and were married in City Hall two years ago.

"It is a wonderful day and we are grateful to be part of this bicoastal walk for marriage equality," said Alfano.

Ellie Briggs, of El Cerrito, co-chair of the Oakland chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, said she participated to show support. "I have a lesbian daughter who had a commitment ceremony last June in New York."

Holly Grace, and partner Shannon, made the trip from Modesto after hearing of the walk through friends.

"I think it is powerful that the communities of faith that are getting involved in our fight," said Grace, referring to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship that helped sponsor Schumaker's walk.