Same-Sex Marriages Begin in California

Same-sex couples in California began officially tying the knot on Monday evening, as a historic state court ruling opening the door to same-sex marriage went into effect.

A number of counties in the state -- including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sonoma counties -- began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples at 5:01 p.m on Monday, when the California Supreme Court's rejection of the state's ban on same-sex marriage became official. A November ballot initiative will allow Californians to vote on a state constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, and Reuters calls the next few months a "crucial test" for supporters of gay and lesbian rights in the state.

• California Gays, Lesbians Marry Legally (Reuters)
• Chronology: Legal Progress for Same-Sex Couples (Reuters)
• Gay Marriages Begin as California Ruling Takes Effect (L.A. Times)
• Wave of Weddings for Bay Area Same-Sex Couples (S.F. Chronicle)
• Same-Sex Couples and the Law (FindLaw)