San Francisco has made plans for its first of many to come June gay and lesbian weddings. The first wedding will actually be a repeat wedding from 2004.
Deal Martin and Phyllis Lyon were united in a ceremony that began the Winter of Love in 2004. The ceremony performed was very rushed and unapproved. Over 4000 same sex couples married before the courts stopped the marriages and declared them illegal. This time around, the couple hopes to get more attention placed into their legal marriage.
The couple will be married at City Hall when same-sex marriages begin on June 16 at 5:00. It has been reported that 128 same sex couples have already made appointments to get a marriage license on June 17.
In addition to being at the beginning of the push for same sex marriage, Martin and Lyon served as plaintiffs in the recent court case with the Supreme Court that made same sex marriages legal. The two have also been behind the creation of organizations and foundations to support same sex couples. They were inducted into the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association Hall of Fame.
The organization feels that allowing the couple to be the first to marry is a way to show the appreciation for all of their work.
The city of San Francisco is planning for the marriage rush by calling in many volunteers and city workers from other departments. They are predicting to issue about 250 marriage licenses per day and possibly carry out even up to 500 wedding ceremonies. They are also extending their hours and will be open from 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening. The City Hall will even be open on Saturday, June 28 to conduct same sex marriages. This is the day of the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade and Celebration.
The Biggest Challenges to Marriage