First Gay Couple Marries in California

By Pamela Mortimer

Tuesday morning saw crowds of eager couples approaching county clerk offices across California ready to take the plunge with the state’s first ever legal gay marriage ceremonies. Many describe the scene as "a party atmosphere."

San Francisco was flooded by happy couples as a gay men's chorus sang on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall. The façade was decorated with bright rainbow flags while supporters handed out cupcakes to happy couples.

Lia Shigemura and Helen Zia provided their own music by singing "The Chapel of Love" as they made their way to the city attorney’s office. The couple exchanged vows with Zia’s mother by their side.

"This is the most meaningful day of my life. I've always wanted to get married," Shigemura said. "I just never thought it'd be possible."

All across the state, couples donned their Sunday best while local licensing clerks expanded their staffs.

California is not the first state to legalized same-sex marriage. In 2004, Massachusetts passed a law legalizing the union. Unless Massachusetts, however, California has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. The lack of the residency requirement is expected to draw large numbers of couples to head west. Many people being married on Tuesday were not California residents.

The California Supreme Court ruling that overturned the state's bans on same-sex marriage became final at 5:01 p.m. Monday. In at least five counties, clerks extended their hours to mark the historic event.

"We might wait a long time in Tennessee, so this is our chance," said Robert Blaudow, of Memphis. Blaudow and his partner, Derek Norman, 23, were in the San Francisco area for a conference and decided to get married at the Alameda County clerk’s office late Monday.

"We're glad that we're living in this time when history is being made," said Sandy Mills, an Oakland physician who was getting married to her partner of nine years, Mar Stevens, an employee of the county district attorney’s office.

"I'm tired of checking the single box," said Danielle Lemay, 34, who picked up a marriage license in Woodland with her partner, Angie Hinrichs. "I feared I’d be checking that my whole life."

County clerks were expecting the surge of happy couples and put into use the new gender-neutral marriage licenses. The licenses differ in that there are spaces for "Party A" and "Party B" where "bride" and "groom" used to be.

Contra Costa County Clerk Stephen Weir joked with his partner of 18 years, John Hemm. "Am I Party A or Party B?"

The couple was the first to marry at Weir’s office on Tuesday morning. Outside, three members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed; carrying signs which proclaimed such things as "God is your enemy."

Approximately three dozen supporters also made their point of view known by waving signs that read "Hate is not a family value" and "My marriage is not threatened by theirs, why is yours?" Police vehicles were present on the scene to prevent any hostile action.

Beginning at 9 A.M., City Hall in West Hollywood saw more than 100 people, wearing everything from T-shirts to tuxedoes. In preparation for the nuptials, the city erected six white cabanas with chandeliers and silk flowers.

Among those applying for marriage licenses were Star Trek actor and gay rights activist George Takei and his longtime partner, Brad Altman. The couple is planning a September wedding.

"Today we are all here to give flesh and blood reality to that ruling. We are going to make history," said Takei, who played Sulu in the "Star Trek" television series and movies. "Congratulations to all of us and may equality live long and prosper."