California prepares for first gay marriages

By Peter Henderson

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California begins marrying gay and lesbian couples on Monday afternoon in a step likely to challenge other states where laws define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

A state Supreme Court decision last month overturning a ban on gay marriage has already produced one major change: marriage licenses will no longer list bride and groom but rather Party A and Party B.

The landmark ruling goes into effect at the close of business on Monday, when San Francisco and West Hollywood, both known for a major gay population, will marry one couple each. Dozens of other couples will marry in a handful of smaller county offices open to all in the evening.

California is the second state to marry same-sex couples after Massachusetts, but it is the first ready to grant licenses to couples from any state. Gay marriage is rejected by 45 states, but 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 New Yorkers will be able to be married in their own state. So already it is having an impact that crosses the impact to the Atlantic Coast," said Star Trek's Mr. Sulu -- actor George Takei -- who is marrying longtime partner Brad Altman.

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

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

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose 2004 decision to marry gay and lesbian couples helped unleash the court battle ended last month, on Monday will marry Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, an octogenarian pair who have been together more than 50 years and were the first married at City Hall four years ago.