West Hollywood, California (June 16, 2008) - Preparations to wed gay couples in West Hollywood have been set and license will be issued beginning at 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 17 at the WeHo Park Auditorium. 
Hundreds of West Hollywood gay couples are expected to marry this week - Photo by Ryan Gierach. |
Marriage suit plaintiffs Robin Tyler and Diane Olson will receive their license tonight at 5:01 pm and be married on the Beverly Hills Courthouse steps moments later.
Marriages in West Hollywood's Auditorium begin on Saturday, June 21.
Acting Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said that his office will begin issuing marriage licenses and offering civil marriage ceremonies to same sex couples beginning at 8 AM on Tuesday, June 17 in accordance with the California Supreme Court ruling reversing the ban on same sex marriage.
“We look forward to providing quality and respectful service to all of our customers and we have implemented plans to ensure that every qualified couple seeking a marriage license or ceremony is provided that opportunity,” Logan said.
He also announced that he would be issuing a special license at 5:01 pm tonight to Ms. Tyler and Ms. Olson, who would be married by Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Denise Eger a few minutes later on the Beverly Hills Courthouse steps.
Marriage suit plaintiffs Robin Tyler and Diane Olson in a protest. |
The couple have attempted ever year for the last four to obtain a marriage license at the courthouse each Valentine’s Day since they filed their lawsuit, which San Francisco joined, to gain marriage equality.
Similar arrangements have been made in San Francisco for Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon who were part of that city’s lawsuit.
No other licenses will be issued until June 17 at 8 AM.
At the request of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Mr. Logan has partnered with the City of West Hollywood to provide marriage license and civil marriage ceremony services.
The City will provide those services at the West Hollywood Park and Auditorium beginning at 9 AM on Tuesday, June 17.
“We are excited to be working with West Hollywood and pleased to be able to accommodate them with our staff and services,” Logan said.
Needing to accommodate the wave couples seeking licenses and ceremonies, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk expanded service at the department’s Norwalk headquarters, as well as at five district offices throughout Los Angeles County.
West Hollywood’s Raul Cobain and Rob Bergstein have their San Francisco marriage license framed, but can get a new, LA County license on Tuesday. - Photo by Ryan Gierach. |
Norwalk will be open extended hours on weekdays starting on June 17 and continuing through June 27 from 8 AM through 5 PM issuing licenses and will remain open through 8 PM to perform civil marriage ceremonies as needed to meet the demand.
District offices will maintain their regular business hours, but ceremonies, normally only available by appointment, will be available daily at all locations.
Additionally, the Norwalk facility will hold a Marriage Event on Saturday, June 21 from 8 AM through 8 PM.
Couples can apply for licenses and ceremonies. Ceremonies will be performed in a marriage tent where a dozen Deputy Civil Marriage Commissioners will be on hand to officiate.
Appointments are not necessary to obtain a license. Ceremonies will be offered on a first come, first served basis on Tuesday, June 17 and Saturday, June 21.
On all other dates, ceremonies will be by appointment, which can be made once a license has been issued.
The marriage license fee is $70 and civil marriage ceremonies are available for $25.
Couples are encouraged to complete the application for a marriage license online at www.lamarriage.lacounty.gov beginning on June 16 after 5:00 PM, when the new forms will be posted.
“While not required,” Mr. Logan said, “completing the on-line application will expedite the licensing process when the couples appear in person to pick up their licenses at our offices.”
Effective Tuesday, June 17, 2008, the City of West Hollywood in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Clerk will begin to issue marriage licenses and schedule appointments for civil ceremonies from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the auditorium at West Hollywood Park, 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard in West Hollywood.
Friday, June 20, 2008, marriage licenses and appointments for civil ceremonies will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the auditorium at West Hollywood Park.
Saturday, June 21, 2008, civil ceremonies will be conducted by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at West Hollywood Park. Appointments can be made in advance by calling (323) 848-6409.
Marriage licenses will not be issued on this day.
More marriage news below maps and hours
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Clerk Office Hours during this week ONLY
Clerk Headquarters - 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk
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Weekdays and Saturday, June 21, 8 AM – 5 PM for licenses and through 8 PM for ceremonies. Ceremonies will be on a first come, first served basis on Tuesday and Saturday and by appointment only on all other dates.
West Hollywood Park & Auditorium - 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood
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Tuesday through Thursday, 9 AM-5 PM, Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM and Saturday, June 21 from 8 AM-8 PM. Services include issuing marriage licenses and performing ceremonies. Ceremonies are by appointment only.
Beverly Hills Courthouse Office – 9355 Burton Way, 1st Floor, Beverly Hills
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Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Services include issuing licenses and performing ceremonies. Ceremonies are by appointment only.
West Hollywood’s Mayor Jeff Prang with his domestic partner Raymundo Viszcarra - Photo by Ryan Gierach. |
Just days before Norway became the sixth country to legislate and end to same-sex marriage discrimintaion, the Abbey kicked off Pride month in Los Angeles with a mass wedding ceremony of celebration and protest.
“Your joined hands are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual bond,” Mayor Jeffrey Prang said, “signifying to all your commitment to each other and your commitment in vowing to vote and protect your right to love.”
This year’s event, coming on the heels of the Supreme Court ruling - and days after the constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage qualified for the November ballot on June 4, contained both a celebratory and a combative element.
John Manelski, 30, and Jordan Brusso, 26, expressed optimism the measure would fail in November. Just in case, they said they have planned a legal ceremony in September and will have a big celebration next May.
“We want to get it done before November,” Brusso said. “We don’t have enough time to plan the wedding we want to have.”
Pictured here at West Hollywood's Abbey wearing pendants are: (L-R) Love and Pride jewelry designer Udi Behr; Tonight Show host Jay Leno; The Matthew Shepard Foundation’s Judy Shepard and Grey’s Anatomy’s T.R. Knight. |
“Grey’s Anatomy” co-star T.R. Knight hosted the event accompanied by his boyfriend, Mark Cornelsen, but they did not join the other couples marching down the white carpet to exchange vows.
Jay Leno showed up in support.
“I have friends in the gay community. Who doesn’t know gay people in Hollywood?” Leno said.
The event also had a commercial sponsor and a designated cause, the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the nonprofit established by the family of the University of Wyoming student who was beaten to death in 1998 by two men who suspected he was gay. For more information, visit: www.loveandpride.com .
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