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1st Gay Marriage to be Held in Beverly Hills
Photo by Donnay via Flickr
When officials said counties could begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses at 5:01 p.m. on Monday, June 16 , by extending office hours, most still chose to begin the ceremonies on June 17 when it was originally scheduled. Counties that stayed with such action included Los Angeles and San Francisco.
However, both of those counties will issue one license on Monday to "commemorate the ruling." In his gay marriage Q & A column , Rong-Gong Lin II, says that the first couple in Los Angeles to marry on Monday night will be "Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, who on Valentine's Day 2004 were denied a marriage license at the Beverly Hills Courthouse and challenged that rejection all the way to the California Supreme Court. Their license, to be issued in Beverly Hills, was given an exception 'in recognition of their unique role in the court's decision,' said acting Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan."
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Alameda, Sonoma and Yolo counties will be issuing licenses beginning Monday night. One conservative county, Kern (home to Bakersfield), is causing trouble . The county clerk has banned her office from performing weddings, gay or straight . Instead, volunteer ministers will officiate over the weddings on the grounds of the clerk's downtown office.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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