Same-sex weddings underway in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Same-sex couples were married Monday at the County
Administration Center in San Diego for the first time since the recent
U.S. Supreme Court ruling, under which Proposition 8 was struck down as
unconstitutional.

Couples lined up outside the building early today to be married with San
Diego's scenic waterfront as a backdrop.

Stephanie Torres and Susan Hartman, together for 21 years, were the
first to be married. They wore Hawaiian shirts and sandals.

Torres told NBC7/39 they had a chance to be married in 2008 but balked,
fearing their union would be undone by the courts.

“The roller coaster of life,” Torres said. “We're here, we're happy
and we're very happy with the Supreme Court decision and equal rights.”

In November 2008, voters approved Proposition 8, which effectively
banned same-sex marriages by defining marriage as a legal union between and man
and a woman.

A federal judge found the law unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court
justices rejected an appeal by supporters of the initiative, leaving the lower
court ruling to stand.

On Friday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals waived a 25-day waiting
period for the ruling to take effect.

Val Wood of the county Assessor/Recorder/Clerk's office, said her office
has been inundated by phone calls. She told City News Service that couples
need an appointment to buy wedding licenses and arrange for a civil ceremony
done by county employees.

On Wednesdays this summer, however, walk-ins will be accepted, and
everyone who has their required papers in order before 5 p.m. that day will be
married, according to Wood.

“It's going to be very popular this Wednesday, because there will be a
lot of couples,” Wood said, adding that all walk-ins need to have proper
identification.