Thursday, May. 29, 2008

California sets date for gay unions

Vows can be exchanged beginning June 17 unless Supreme Court steps in

State officials let counties know that they can begin using new forms for same-sex marriages June 17.

The forms, which were e-mailed Wednesday, accommodate same-sex marriages as well as those between a man and a woman.

The forms refer to "Party A" and Party B" instead of bride and groom.

The California Department of Public Health sent the forms along with a letter indicating the June 17 start date to the state's 58 counties.

The department says the California Supreme Court has until the close of business June 16 to rule on any request to stay its decision allowing same-sex marriages. If the decision is upheld, the department plans to recognize it as being in effect June 17, according to the e-mail.

That's three days after the date released Monday by Stephen Weir, who heads the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials. He said then that the department indicated that counties would be allowed to issue the li- censes as early as June 14.

The delay didn't diminish the spirits of Beth Holden of Modesto, who has been waiting to marry her domestic partner, Cynthia Soto.

"We're totally thrilled," said Holden, 27. "We'll go whatever day it is. We'll be there at 7 a.m. We might be there even earlier."

By the time the Stanislaus County clerk-recorder's office on I Street opens at 8 a.m. that day, Soto and Holden said they expect a line down the block.

"There is an assumption possibly that this isn't a local issue, but it is a local issue. There are a lot of gay and lesbian couples living in and around Modesto," Holden said. "We know several long-long-term couples and they have either raised children together who are now grown and out of the house or are raising children. It is extremely important."

Valentine's Day rejection

For the past three years, Holden and Soto have gone to the clerk-recorder's office on Valentine's Day seeking a marriage license, only to be turned down under state law.

Assuming the law is upheld, those who obtain marriage licenses can get married in civil ceremonies at Tenth Street Place that week. Stanislaus County holds the ceremonies from 9 to 11 a.m. on Fridays.

"In the event the civil services are full (by June 17), which June tends to be, we will have some extended hours," said Lee Lundrigan, the Stanislaus County clerk-recorder. "That doesn't mean outside our business hours, but longer than 9 to 11.

"After they come in and obtain a license, they can get scheduled for a ceremony, and we will try to make accommodations for people who are signing up that Tuesday to be able to have ceremonies on that Friday, and then (if those spots fill up), the Fridays after that."

Holden said she and Soto hope to be wed in a civil ceremony as soon as possible and are planning a church wedding for September.

The state Supreme Court's decision May 15 tossed out Proposition 22, which declared marriage being only between a man and a woman. Same-sex marriage opponents are mounting a ballot campaign and hope to persuade the court to stay its decision until the November election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bee staff writer Inga Miller can be reached at imiller@modbee.com or 578-2324.