Monday, June 16, 2008

California Gays Can Be Legally Married Starting Today


AP - Gay and lesbian couples will begin exchanging vows across California on today, one month after the state's highest court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage in a historic ruling.
The first marriage licenses are to be issued in a handful of districts from 5:00 pm (0000 GMT) on Monday, before an expected state-wide stampede by thousands of couples gets underway the following day.

The legalization of same-sex marriage in California is expected to create a mini-industry worth several hundred million dollars, as couples flock to California from across the United States to tie the knot.

Among the first couples to get hitched on Monday will be Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, who were the first plaintiffs in the lawsuit that led to the California Supreme Court overturning the ban last month.

Analysts say same-sex marriages will generate several hundred million dollars and create thousands of jobs for California's economy.

A recent University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) study said around 51,000 of the 102,000 same-sex couples living in California are expected to marry over the next three years, with a further 67,500 couples from outside the state expected to wed here during the same period.
Complete story here>>>

I will be in Oakland at City Hall today at 6pm as Mayor Ron Dellums will officiate some of the first couples. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will marry the first couple that he married 4 years ago.

One small step for mankind...one giant leap for civil rights!

Joe

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