Dozens of gay couples get married in California

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

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.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080617/ap_on_re_us/gay_marriage;_ylt=Ap4uT.crmZpa0_DBCGErxItvzwcF

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Del Martin, 87, center left, and Phyllis Lyon, 84, center right, are married by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom , center, in a special ceremony at City Hall in San Francisco, Monday, June 16, 2008. Also pictured are the couple's witnesses, Roberta Achtenberg, left, and Donna Hitchens. Lyon and Martin became the first officially married same sex couple after California's Supreme Court declared gay marriage legal.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, Pool)

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=8340670&ch=4226713&src=news

:applause:

[2QT2BSTR8]

1. That's one small step for the GLBT community; one giant leap for mankind!

[PDJane]

2. A giant leap for the US.....

other countries, including Spain and Canada, are already there.

[Xenotime]

11. I am so happy about this!!! Hopefully this will open the door to other unions as well.

[marshall]

4. The next step: Get rid of Don't Ask Don't Tell!

[AnnieBW]

3. Aren't they just the cutest?

I'm glad that both of them lived to see this day, and were the first to celebrate it! Congratulations, girls!

[maddezmom]

5. some really great photos of and about them at yahoo

here is one more:


**FILE PHOTO** Phyllis Lyon (L) and Del Martin, arrive at the Human Rights Campaign Annual Gala in Los Angeles, March 6, 2004. The event recognizes people who have fought for civil rights in the gay and lesbian community through personal activism, outreach or positive portrayal of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters in entertainment.
(REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson, LN/HB)

[momster]

6. If I were rich...really, really rich....

I'd send flowers to all couples married on this special day.

May they live in joy!

[Q3JR4]

7. I am so glad that they

got to see this day, after everything they've done in their lives they deserve happiness near the end.

Q3JR4.

[xchrom]

8. ...

:applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo:

[spag68]

9. Gay marriage

I am straight here and don't care what anyone chooses to do with whomever they choose to do it with. The real point that should be made is this should not even be a news story.

[trusty elf]

10. Are you kidding? ! ?

This is the end of civilisation as we know it! :sarcasm:

[Robbien]

12. Over in DU's GLBT forum, a few DUers have announced their wedding plans

What a great day! Finally. Congrats to them all.

[bumblebee1]

13. Congratulations to both Del and Phyllis

55 years is a long time to wait to get married. Hell, their relationship has lasted longer than many heterosexual marriages. I wish both ladies all the best.

[bean fidhleir]

15. Heck, their relationship has lasted longer than many people's *lives*

And longer than *most* het marriages. The record for marriage is around 80 years.

[Starry Messenger]

14. sweet

that picture is making me cry with joy.

MPK