Same-sex marriages begin in Santa Clara County

The first full day of gay marriage in California managed, somehow, to be both extraordinary and routine.

Hundreds of history-making Bay Area couples either wed or got their marriage licenses on what could be considered the first day of a political campaign leading up to a November referendum on gay marriage. They were notably conservative - dressing in suits and skirts, sweats and sandals - as they took their legal vows and sealed their nuptials with quick, almost chaste, kisses.

About three times more marriage licenses were given out in Santa Clara County than on an average Tuesday, but there was an unexpected absence of angry confrontations between gay couples and gay-marriage opponents - only a few solitary protesters.

Ronni Pahl of San Jose was part of one of the first two couples married in Santa Clara County. As Pahl heard her partner of a decade speak the words, "I thee wed," it all hit her.

"There was this sense of pride that I had never, ever felt before. It came from my toes and came all the way up," Pahl said moments after County Supervisor Ken Yeager simultaneously pronounced Ronni and Hannah Pahl - and Rich and David Speakman - legally married at 9:11 a.m. "I have a son and I'm proud of him. I have my wife and I'm proud of her. But this pride . . ." she paused to wonder at it ". . . It's different. You know? It's different. I've been proud waving my rainbow flag, but this is different."

Same-sex marriages begin in Santa Clara County
San Jose Mercury News,  USA