California gays, lesbians marry legally

California performed its first legally recognized same-sex weddings on Monday and opened its doors to gay and lesbian couples from around the country, a move likely to challenge other states that define marriage as between a man and a woman.

Octogenarians Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon took the first vows in San Francisco's ornate City Hall in a ceremony presided over by Mayor Gavin Newsom, who said California was leading a trend that would sweep the nation.

Acceptance of gay marriage has grown in the United States but most states outlaw it and, overall, Americans prefer to give marriage-like rights to homosexuals under a different name.

In a November election, Californians have the option to end same-sex marriage, making the next few months a crucial test of whether gays and lesbians can convince fellow citizens that there is no going back on marriage rights for all.

Martin and Lyon, who have been together for more than 50 years, were also the first to be married in 2004, during the "Winter of Love" when about 4,000 same-sex couples exchanged vows. Courts overturned those unions but last month the state Supreme Court struck down a ban on homosexual marriage, with that ruling going into effect late on Monday.

"When we first got together, we weren't really thinking about getting married," Lyon said to a small crowd that laughed, cheered and threw red rose petals.

Southern Californian couple Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, two of the plaintiffs in the state Supreme Court battle, exchanged vows in Beverly Hills, where for years they had petitioned unsuccessfully for a marriage license.

"Here is the final ending to our beautiful story -- 'And they lived happily ever after'," Tyler said.

Nearby, a supporter waived a placard that said "Finally."

Still, opponents aim to fight back in November and change the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. Conservative Christians have vowed to get voters to the polls.

California is the second state, after Massachusetts, to marry same-sex couples but it is the first ready to grant licenses to couples from any state. Gay marriage is rejected by 45 states, although New York will honor California unions.

"If marriages performed outside of New York are going to be recognized, I'm sure it won't be too long before (gay) New Yorkers will be able to be married in their own state. So already it is having an impact that crosses to the Atlantic Coast," said Star Trek's Mr. Sulu -- actor George Takei -- who plans to wed longtime partner Brad Altman later this year.

"We are boldly going where no one has gone before," he said, jokingly echoing the opening of the TV series.

SWEEPING CHANGE?

Many countries allow domestic partnerships, although a relative few recognize gay marriage, including Belgium, Canada, Spain and the Netherlands.

Around California, the most populous U.S. state with more than 36 million people, a few marriage offices started ceremonies after 5 p.m. (8 p.m. EDT/0000 GMT) and planned to work into the evening. Hundreds of volunteers have been deputized to marry couples in tents and on courthouse lawns.

They may face opponents such as protesters in San Francisco waving signs reading "Homo Sex is Sin" and similar warnings.

Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, predicted "months of social chaos that could wreak havoc on every state in America."

He said California's new policy "threatens to undo thousands of years of natural marriage."

Less than a third of Americans responding to a recent CBS poll said gay marriage should be legal, although the trend is toward growing acceptance. More than a third opposed gay marriage.

University of Southern California law professor David Cruz predicted the practicalities of married gay couples moving from California to other states would spark change.

"People's attitudes are already changing, and what will change public opinion in favor of same-sex marriages further is knowing same-sex couples and seeing them live their lives like other married couples," he said.

Lesbian wedding stuns Vizag (Andhra Pradesh)

Two young lesbian lovers got married in a temple recently shocking their families and neighbours. The lovers, K. Kumari, 19, and Varalakshmi, 18, tied the knot at the Lingala Tirugudu temple near Sabbavaram on October 16 and later exchanged Bibles in a local church to further cement their relationship.They have also started living together in a separate house like any other married couple and are working in a nursery. Kumari dons the role of the ‘husband,’ wearing trousers and shirt while Varalakshmi, the demure one, wears the mangalsutra.Though the shock is yet to wear off, the people of the small town of Sabbavaram are now slowly accepting their relationship. Sources said that Kumari, a native of Anakapalle, came to the town to live with her married elder sister after she lost her parents. She soon met Varalakshmi, who lived in the neighbourhood, and they became close friends.The duo started working in a church together to earn money, but they were sacked after their colleagues complained about their ‘intimate’ behaviour. Undaunted, the couple rented a small house and started living there. However, Varalakshmi’s mother was upset at her daughter’s friendship and took her home. But the couple got married without much publicity and during Dasara, Kumari appeared with cropped hair. “She was wearing trousers and T-shirt like a man,” said a neighbour. Another curious neighbour saw a photograph in a local studio in which Kumari and Varalakshmi were exchanging Bibles, which is how Christians in the rural belt get marriedThey made further enquiries found that the young women (both belong to the goldsmith community) also got married according to Hindu rites in Lingala Tirugudu temple. It was performed according to traditions and Kumari tied a mangalasutra on Varalakshmi’s neck. Interestingly, Varalakshmi’s mother and another witness were present during the exchange of vows.“We are not ashamed,” said Kumari. “First we became good friends and later lovers. Now we live as husband and wife.” Varalakshmi was earlier married to a man in Srikakulam but walked out of the marriage. She is not formally divorced. The owner of their rented house is not too bothered about their relationship. “As long as they pay the rent and keep quiet, it is ok with me.” he said. Women in the neighbourhood have also more or less accepted their relationship. Of course, they have stopped taking baths with Kumari in the pond, which is fair enough.

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