Dozens of gay couples get married in California
Pastor Dale Morgan
Dozens of gay couples get married in California*
By LISA LEFF,
Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO - Dozens of gay couples were married Monday after a
historic ruling making California the second state to allow same-sex
nuptials went into effect. At least five county clerks around the state
extended their hours to issue marriage licenses, and many same-sex
couples got married on the spot.
"These are not folks who just met each other last week and said, `Let's
get married.' These are folks who have been together in some cases for
decades," said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center
for Lesbian Rights. "They are married in their hearts and minds, but
they have never been able to have that experience of community and
common humanity."
The really big rush to the altar in the nation's most populous state was
not expected to take place until Tuesday, which is when most counties
planned to start issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Hundreds,
perhaps thousands, of couples from around the country are expected to
seize the opportunity to make their unions official in the eyes of the law.
Local officials are now required to issue licenses that have the words
"Party A" and "Party B" where "bride" and "groom" used to be.
In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom, who helped launch the series of
lawsuits that led the court to strike down California's
one-man-one-woman marriage laws, presided at the wedding of lesbian
rights activists Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84.
Well-wishers cheered when they emerged outside Newsom's office after the
ceremony.
Dozens of couples gathered outside the clerks offices in Alameda, Sonoma
and Yolo counties, where hours were extended to accommodate gay couples
who wanted to be among the first to marry.
Derek Norman, 23 and Robert Blaudow, 39, from Memphis, were in the Bay
Area for a conference and decided to get married at the Alameda County
clerk's office.
"We might wait a long time in Tennessee, so this is our chance," Blaudow
said.
First in line to pick up a marriage license in Sonoma was Melanie
Phoenix, 47, and Terry Robinson, 48, of Santa Rosa. They have been
together for almost 26 years and plan to be wed in August.
"It's an historic occasion," Phoenix said. "I never believed it was
really possible until Gavin Newsom took the first step in 2004."
A throng of well-wishers and news media surrounded a lesbian couple as
they were married in a Jewish ceremony in front of the Beverly Hills
courthouse.
The ceremony was broadcast live on three newscasts in Los Angeles.
The couple wept and pressed their foreheads together, and onlookers
whooped as the marriage became valid.