SAN DIEGO - A group of same-sex couples unsuccessfully attempted to secure marriage licenses at the San Diego County Administration Center in a Valentine's Day protest designed to highlight their cause.

Couples and their supporters marched from the Starbucks at 1240 University Ave. in Hillcrest to the downtown county building in a protest organized by the San Diego chapter of Equality California/Marriage Equality California.

After filling out marriage forms at the County Clerk's Office, they were told they could not legally be married.

"I'm going to ask them for a license and hopefully not get turned down," Andy Reese told KFMB-TV as he filled out an application alongside his boyfriend, whom he identified only as John.

Rebuffed applicant John Klapoetke told KFMB-TV the denial would not dissuade him from continuing to pursue legal recognition for his same-sex domestic partnership.

"We couldn't expect any miracles today, but we're going to keep trying, and one of these days it'll happen," he told the news station.

Anthony White, events coordinator for the Equality California San Diego chapter, said "it was incumbent upon us to let our governmental officials know that San Diego is populated with same-sex couples that want to enjoy the full rights and benefits of marriage."

"In our continuing educational efforts, we not only open the eyes of our county clerk and his employees, but also the many opposite-sex couples that will be there on Valentine's Day to have their love legally protected through a civil marriage," he said.

Dozens of heterosexual couples showed up at the five County Clerk's marriage offices around the county to be married or renew their wedding vows for Valentine's Day.

Following the morning protest, same-sex marriage supporters rallied in the parking lot of the County Administration Center.