I don't know if there's still time to hire a caterer or book a band, but state authorities have just announced that June 17 is the first day same-sex marriages will be officiated in California. The announcement comes two weeks after the state Supreme Court rejected a ban on gay marriage.
How will it work? The authorities say the terms husband and wife will be replaced by "party A" and "party B." No other details distinguish the ceremony from any other marriage officiated by state authorities.
After the 4-3 ruling California becomes only the second US state after Massachusetts to legalize unions between homosexuals. Since Supreme Court rulings typically apply 30 days after publication, state authorities set June 17 as the date for the first weddings, clearing the safety zone since the ruling can be appealed up to June 16.
Timberland
Modalu
Blue Wax
Well, you should stop staying up so late Citizen, or you're going to look like death at the weddings!
1It's about time their be given the right to marriage; their love is no different then a love between a man and woman. Now the rest of the states should join California.
2Glad to hear this!
Really though, "party A" and "party B"? That's just so
unromantic...
3*applause*
4It's about time we moved closer to this!
5Party A and Party B is so stiff and informal. Why not husband and husband/wife and wife?
6How exciting!
Not a fan of the language, either, though. What are they going to say...I now pronounce you Party A and Party B!?
7Look like New York might not be far behind! From the Times today: "Gov. David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada... instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere “should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union.”"
And I think the Party A/B business is mostly for the paperwork and legal whatnot? I bet you might be able to finangle your own wording in the ceremony...
8Party A? I mean, really?
Might as well have been Homo Sapien 1, Homo Sapien 2.
9there are lots of reasons to be bummed about living in california right now (budget, housing crisis, etc.), but at least we have this we can be proud of. this is awesome.
10Part A and Part B?? I'm not sure how that is solved in Spain but I'm certain it's not that ridiculous. Husband and husband and wife and wife are perfectly fine.
Still, that's amazing news.
11I saw the headline and all I could think of was "First Gay Marriage Divorce set for June 17th, 2009."
12Hooray California!
13YAY! I really don't know what else to say.
14I think that the substitution of Party A and Party B is just for legal document reasons.
Otherwise it would be like:
Wife and wife or husband and husband or wife and husband.
It is unromantic.
If the economy starts getting a little boost in CA, I bet it will be from all super hip gay weddings! You know they'll have more style on average than the typical hetero wedding!
15woohoo! It's about time. Now, all the other states just need to allow gay marriage.
16This is wonderful! AND now New York is recognizing gay marriages from other states as legal. What great news!
17It's about time!!
18I wonder how long it will take for all the other states to follow...
19Too bad my red state will never follow suit
20I'm with everyoabout "Party A" and "Party B" - why not just say their names? But come to think of it, it's tough to think of any romantic-sounding generalities that don't include mentions of gender. My thesaurus widget is letting me down, at least. =)
21That's so amazing!! I hope Florida will follow suit!!
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