Feature

Landmark Decision on Same Sex Marriage

The San Mateo County Clerk's office opened its doors on June 17, 2008 for gay and lesbian couples to secure marriage licenses and exchange vows on the first full day same-sex nuptials were legal throughout California. The first couple was in line at 6:45 am. By 8 a.m, there were seven couples in line, and by 9 a.m. staff had issued licenses to 19 same-sex couples. By the end of the day, 45 marriage licenses were issued and six ceremonies were held.

Beth and Lisa Shapiro, both from Cleveland, OH, were scheduled to be in California this week for a class and couldn't have been happier that their trip fell in the midst of this historic time. Like many same-sex couples, they had a ceremony with family and friends several years ago but the ceremony wasn't considered a legal union. Today, they are legal and very happy. Beth and Lisa's marriage is San Mateo County's first same-sex marriage performed and first same-sex marriage license registered.

A UCLA study issued last week estimated that half of California's more than 100,000 same-sex couples will get married over the next three years, and 68,000 more out-of-state couples will travel to California to exchange vows.