Mustang Daily Staff Report
news@mustangdaily.net
A federal appeals court Friday lifted its stay on same-sex marriage, and a San Luis Obispo County official said she expects the county to begin performing ceremonies for gay couples Monday.
The court’s announcement came earlier than some expected, just two days after the United States Supreme Court dismissed an appeal defending Proposition 8, which defined marriage in the California Constitution as between one man and one woman. The Supreme Court’s decision essentially opened the door for same-sex marriages in California, though the state had several weeks to implement it.
San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Julie Rodewald said Friday she was waiting for approval from the county’s department of public health before beginning, but expected to be ready Monday for couples coming to San Luis Obispo City Hall.
“I would expect that shortly,” she said of the approval. “Once we begin that, we’ll be ready on Monday morning.”
No same-sex couples came to City Hall on Friday with hopes of being married, Rodewald said.
In San Francisco, couples lined up within minutes of the court’s announcement, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. California Attorney General Kamala Harris officiated the first ceremony between Prop 8 plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier.
“Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier,” she tweeted, “I now declare you spouses for life!! #Prop8 #MarriageEquality”
Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier, I now declare you spouses for life!! #Prop8 #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/uach8Ymso5
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 28, 2013
Sean McMinn contributed to this staff report.