Gay Couples Across California Trade Weekend Vows

Same-sex couples across California exchanged vows and wedding bands on the first weekend since the state began allowing gays and lesbians to legally marry.

The city of West Hollywood, a staunch advocate of marriage rights for gays and lesbians, hosted a daylong marriage marathon Saturday, when about 100 same-sex couples planned to wed in ceremonies officiated by council members and administrators.

Accompanied by camera-toting clusters of relatives and friends, couples traded vows under white trellises trimmed with red roses inside curtained cabanas in West Hollywood Park.

Among them were Nancy Vasquez and Sandy Perron, partners of 16 years, who got their marriage license at West Hollywood City Hall on Tuesday and returned Saturday for the ceremony.

''This is just the icing on the cake,'' said Perron, a 45 year-old human resources assistant from Gardena. ''It's something we've been waiting for.''

California became the only U.S. state besides Massachusetts to allow gay couples to marry on Monday, one month after the state supreme court overturned a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

But the wedding spree could be short-lived if voters approve a November ballot initiative that would reverse the May 15 court ruling and amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage.

For Susan and River Mika Coyote of Incline Village, Nev., getting married at the Sacramento gay pride festival was a statement about human rights, as well as their personal commitment. The couple held a ceremony five years ago, legally combined their names and bank accounts, and bought a home together.

River, 38, said she hopes hundreds of gay marriages in coming months will help dissuade voters from supporting a constitutional ban on the November ballot.

''It's easy when people think of gay people as 'those people,''' she said. ''If you check that box you're taking away the marriage of River and Susie -- it's not 'those people.' We're normal people who want to take care of each other.''

The gay wedding boom has been good for business. Tom Rosa, owner of the Cake and Art bakery in West Hollywood, said business has tripled in the past week, and on one day he did as many consultations as he usually does in a month.

Rainbow-colored cakes are popular, but some couples are wild for a silver-studded all black cake, said Rosa, who baked four cakes for same-sex couples marrying at West Hollywood Park.

Many couples waited until Saturday to get married so they could share the day with family and friends and not be part of the media hoopla and protests that surrounded ceremonies earlier in the week.

''We didn't want that to take away from our occasion. It means a lot to us,'' said Pat Melchor of Downey, who married her partner of 11 years, the new Mrs. Cheryl Melchor, who was clutching a bouquet of white roses as they posed for photos.

West Hollywood councilman John Heilman, who was deputized by the county deputy commissioner of civil marriages to officiate weddings in June, said the day was proving emotional, especially for couples who had been together for many years.

''Everyone's crying,'' he said. ''People are bringing their family and friends. That's what been nicer about today.'' (Christina Hoag, AP)

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: Arthur N. Siegel, O.D. & Dennis C. Lowry
Date posted: 2008-06-23 11:59 AM
Hometown: Glendale, CA

Comment:

After almost 33 years together we tied the knot this past Saturday (June 21, 2008) in West Hollywood. The city went all out to make sure that this day was special for all of us. The cabanas under the shade of beautiful trees was so romantic. They embellished the setting with lovely chandeliers and flowered arches in the cabanas. For us the arch symbolized the chupah of the traditional Jewish ceremony. We even got to break the glass to shouts of "mazal tov" after we were pronounced "spouses". All of the people working there were so helpful and friendly. They were extremely organized. We were not rushed. We had time for photos, kisses and hugs with all our attending loved ones. It truly was a day we will cherish forever. Thank you so much to the city of West Hollywood and all the people who made this possible.

If you would like to submit a comment for posting, please fill out the form above.

All comments submitted via this form are subject to posting or publication. (To send a private letter to an Advocate editor or writer, please use the e-mail button at the top of the page, or use snail mail.) If you would like your comment considered for publication in The Advocate magazine, please include your full name, your city of residence, and a phone number where you can be reached during business hours so that we can confirm your identity. Your e-mail address and telephone number are strictly confidential and will not be shared or used for any purpose other than to contact you about your comment.

See the Contact page for sending comments for reasons other than responding to Advocate editorial and news stories.

Please note that comments sent by fax or snail mail are unlikely to be posted, although they will be considered for publication along with all letters received via e-mail or via this Web page. Comments that chiefly concern Advocate.com content will be considered for posting only on the Web site. The Advocate reserves the right to edit submitted comments for grammar, spelling, obscenities, or libel; we will, however, do our best to preserve the original comment's style and intent. Comments considered for publication in The Advocate magazine may also be edited for length.

More Exclusives

View From the Hill: The End of DADT?
Defense Secretary Robert Gates revealed that lawyers are exploring ways to ease enforcement of the military's gay ban, but cautioned that the law doesn't leave much wiggle room. He need look no further than DOD history for a lesson in altering the policy.

Hot Sheet: Week of July 5
When you get back from that big 4th of July barbecue, unwind with Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno and your favorite B-movie-mocking, basic cable robots.

Hungry Like the Wolf
A master of viola, ukulele, piano, and harp, Patrick Wolf is a music prodigy -- one who, the night before this interview, spit on a cop and got himself arrested.

Soapside: Advocate's Guide to Daytime
Forbes March talks about playing gay, Otalia fans outraged, update on One Life to Live’s Patricia Maurceri’s firing over gay plot point, Phillip Chancellor III big reveal, and Erica Kane goes to Africa.

The Faces of Federal Prop. 8
With the federal challenge to Prop. 8 moving full speed ahead, Advocate.com sits down with the two couples named as plaintiffs in the suit.

Mommy, the Gays Are Coming
After a year of advancements and celebration for gay and lesbian Colombians, the community takes to the streets of Bogota for the country's biggest pride ever.

The Pride of Antwerp
Advocate.com hits the gay-friendly streets of Antwerp with openly gay police commissioner Serge Muyters.

Excerpt: Mean Little Deaf Queer
In an excerpt from her humorous and harrowing new memoir, Mean Little Deaf Queer, Terry Galloway recalls her early childhood, describing feelings of ugliness, confusion about gender, and being one of the boys.

Top Political Blogs
From Joe.My.God to The Daily Beast, Advocate.com spotlights a few of the best blogs that cover politics, inside and way outside the Beltway.

The Diva of French Television
A hot young screenwriter who has made gay OK for millions of French viewers, Nicolas Mercier sips champagne, dons a feathered hat, and says he wants to see Colin Farrell and Jude Law go at it.