HAWAII: Gay Weddings Commence

Same-sex marriage became legal in Hawaii at midnight last night, about four hours ago at this writing.  And the weddings have already begun.

Six couples at a Waikiki resort tied the knot early Monday, exchanging vows side-by-side with one another in front of a few hundred guests shortly after midnight, while even more couples watched and waited their turn. Across town, an openly gay Unitarian minister wed his partner of 15 years in a ceremony attended by clergy who pushed for the new law, plus Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called the special legislative session that led to the law. “One hundred percent tuned (out) everything else but her,” Saralyn Morales said moments after cutting a small wedding cake after marrying her partner, Isajah Morales. “It’s about making that commitment to the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with.” Hawaii’s marriage laws allow couples to register for a license and be married the same day, a process conducive for tourists only in the state a short time. Couples can sign up for a license online, then be verified by any license agent throughout the state. Agents have set up shop throughout the islands, from resorts on Maui and the Big Island to hard-to-reach places on Kauai.

As noted in today’s clip from Matt Baume, still pending is the latest court challenge from wingnut state legislator Bob McDermott.