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San Francisco: City officials have issued marriage licenses to nearly 100 same-sex couples and could unite scores more, while opponents were in court yesterday seeking to block the nationally unprecedented nuptials.
San Franciscos newly elected mayor, Gavin Newsom, directed the county clerk to accept applications from gay and lesbian partners for the first time on Thursday - an act of political and legal defiance aimed at challenging Californias ban on same-sex marriages.
San Francisco officials tried to keep the first marriage - between longtime lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon, (79) and Del Martin (83) - confidential so they could complete it before any court intervention.
The pair, who will celebrate 51 years together on Valentines Day, were wed by San Francisco Assessor Mabel Teng at 11:10 am in a closed-door ceremony. We have a right just like anyone else to get married to the person we want to get married to, Lyon said.
The secrecy that surrounded the Lyon-Martin wedding ended up being unnecessary since California courts were closed in observance of Lincolns birthday. It also meant that many couples started their days with no idea they would wed by evening.
As word spread, they rushed to City Hall, most dressed casually in jeans with hastily assembled witnesses, and holding hands as they waited in a long line to pay their $82 licence fee.
The marble passages beneath City Halls ornate golden dome echoed with applause as jubilant couples breezed through brief ceremonies, promising to be spouses for life instead of husband and wife.
There is a part that doesnt feel romantic at all, but obviously it feels historic, said Guillermo Guerra (29) who married Andrew Parsons (39) his partner of eight years.
While the practical value of the marriage licenses remains unclear, their symbolism was evident especially on a day when lawmakers in Massachusetts debated a constitutional amendment that would strip gays and lesbians of court-ordered marriage rights. As mandated, they adjourned shortly after midnight Friday but without reaching a consensus.
The citys bold move, however, caused an outcry from elected officials and groups opposed to marriage rights for same-sex couples.
One group, Campaign for California Families, said it would ask a Superior Court judge yesterday for a temporary restraining order that would enjoin the city from granting any more licenses. The organisation is also seeking a ruling from the court declaring the citys actions illegal.
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