Vigil Marks Dog Mauling Death Anniversary
Mary Ellen Peterson
365Gay.com Newscenter in Los Angeles

January 28, 2002

San Francisco:  More than 200 people marched through the Castro on the weekend to mark the one year anniversary of Diane Whipple's death.

Whipple was attacked and killed by two giant Canario dogs in a hallway outside her apartment.  The two people who were in control of the animals are are now on trial, charged with manslaughter.

Whipple's partner, Sharon Smith, won a major victory for lesbian and gay couples when the state legislature passed a law allowing partners to sue for wrongful death.  It was the first piece of legislation in California that recognized same-sex relationships.

 It was Smith's first candlelight vigil. She told the rally: "That's the part that's surreal -- that I'd be here at a candlelight vigil for Diane. The one-year anniversary is harder than I thought it would be.''

Molly McKay, a San Francisco attorney told the crowd that "Diane and Sharon were married in all senses of the word, except legally. But through her devotion and commitment to Diane's memory, Sharon showed the world that she was Diane's widow and has been able to bridge the sexual-orientation gap.''

Smith said she has been at the court appearances for the pair charged in Whipple's death.  "Being in the courtroom with the two of them has been really difficult,'' she said.

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