LA County Clerk's office extends hours to handle influx of same-sex marriages

Flower sales might peak next Wednesday across the Southern California. At five o’clock in the evening, same-sex couples can, once again, start walking down the aisle.

A-J Mayers is 23 years old, single and won’t be exchanging wedding vows next week. But says he hopes to have the freedom to one day.

“It would be mostly as a commitment with a partner," says Mayers, "just to know that that’s the one person you’ll be in a monogamous relationship with, which I truly believe in. That was the way I was brought up. It would be that bond between two people.”

Federal Judge Vaughn Walker, who struck down Proposition 8 last week, temporarily extended a six-day hold on his decision. That’ll give the appeals court time to review the historic case.

The Los Angeles County Clerk’s office is planning to rev up operations next Wednesday. That will include staffers on overtime and extended office hours to perform as many civil ceremonies as possible.

Big crowds of couples and their supporters are likely to turn up at Los Angeles County clerks’ offices. But fewer of those offices may be open to handle them. Budget cuts have routinely closed six of the eight locations where couples can obtain marriage licenses on the third Wednesday of each month.

Dimitri Czupylo says he and his partner won't be there.

“We are still patiently awaiting a final verdict," says Czupylo, "because I think at this point we’re not looking to get married for a political statement.”

At an outdoor table near the entrance of the Abbey West Hollywood, Czupylo chatted with a couple of friends about his awkwardness in publicly acknowledging his partner as his husband. They’re not legally married, but Czupylo says they’ve been together seven years.

“A few months ago in May, at my grandfather’s funeral, at his eulogy," said Czupylo. “My mom was worried about that perception within the church.”

Same-sex marriage supporters hope the perception of less-than-equal status will end once gay and lesbian couples can exchange vows again.