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June 12, 2008

Longtime Couple to Kick Off Gay Marriage in California

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon's nuptials at City Hall ignited the gay wedding spree that thrust San Francisco into the national spotlight in 2004.

Now the city plans a repeat of the ceremony when same-sex marriage becomes legal in California on June 16.

Mayor Gavin Newsom plans to officiate at the couple's wedding, just as he did for them in 2004. He said Monday that Martin and Lyon will be the only same-sex couple married at City Hall on June 16. The clerk's office will issue licenses for other couples beginning June 17.

Martin, 87, and Lyon, 84, are lesbian activists who have been together for more than five decades. They were plaintiffs in the California supreme court case that led to the state's legalization of same-sex marriage. (AP)

© 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Barry Solarczyk
    Date posted: 2008-06-15 2:15 PM
    Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

    Comment:

    Congratulations, Del & Phyl, and God bless! Here's to the next fifty years.


  • Name: John Embry
    Date posted: 2008-06-12 8:50 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco, CA

    Comment:

    It is wonderful to finally find we live in a First World country. We went to Canada last year to be married and now that at least in a couple of states we can become first class citizens. God bless all those who fought so long and hard for this magnificent, if overdue, accomplishment.


  • Name: Patti Gordon
    Date posted: 2008-06-12 4:12 PM
    Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

    Comment:

    I am looking forward to creating weddings and related events for the Gay & Lesbian Community. It is long overdue! Patti Gordon, gayweddingplanner.biz


  • Name: Fred Hartkopf
    Date posted: 2008-06-12 4:09 PM
    Hometown: Alta Loma, California

    Comment:

    I hope all Californian"s will share the ability of gay americans to explore and share the ceremony of Marriage. I am a gay man, 61, years of age who has dreamed of the day that we could live in a progressive state like Massachusets, and California. That doesn't mean that we still won't have to deal with those who for religious or other means, will continue to make us out as lower class citizens. It is a great step forward and I am so proud to have it during my lifetime. I just pray for the day that all kids will live in a society where we don't judge people on religious values but on human values.


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