Tales of Day 1 of Same-Sex Marriage in California

From Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Jenny Pizer:

It's really here. We've imagined it, hoped for it, worked for it and encouraged each other along the way. Now here it is, and it's hard not to cry. It's wonderful.

Doreena and I met in law school and have been together for nearly 24 years. This morning we stood on the public lawn outside a city building in West Hollywood Park waiting for our marriage license. And we weren't the only ones. George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) and his soon-to-be husband Brad Altman were first on line. Hundreds of couples — an ebullient group wearing finery of all kinds — lined up outside where there were festive white tents, balloons, cupcakes and flowers everywhere. The air sparkled with excited happiness.

It feels like a new day here. People are breathing more freely and sharing a joyous sense of hopeful possibilities.

For the first time, lesbian and gay people in California are fully equal under law. Our promises of love and mutual commitment for a lifetime will have the same legal protection and dignity as those of other loving couples. I don't know when I've felt such gratitude and joy.

Here is coverage from the San Francisco Chronicle:

So far, 2,303 same-sex couples have appointments to obtain a marriage license in the next 90 days in San Francisco. Nearly 1,800 of those couples will have their ceremony at City Hall, Hong said. She expects the rush of applicants for marriage licenses to level off over the next few weeks.

In Oakland on Monday night, Kenneth Latham and Keith Boadwee of Emeryville joined hands and looked into each other's eyes as they recited wedding vows to become the first same-sex couple married in Alameda County. They have been together 10 years and one month.

"We've been together so long we know what it means to be a couple," Boadwee said. "However, now that we have the legal protection, wherever we go throughout the state, people will recognize it."

This Associated Press report focuses on reactions of supporters and opponents. On this day, anyway, supporters appeared to be more numerous and vocal.

I'm sure I'll more throughout the week.