via 365gay.com

Del Martin (left) and her partner Phyllis Lyon being married by SF Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Del Martin, beloved figure of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement, died this morning. She and her partner Phyllis Lyon were the first to be legally married in the state of California.

Gavin Newsome is speaking in remembrance now - more soon.

"Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day
would come when she wouldn’t be by my side. I am so lucky to have known her, loved her, and been her partner in all things," Lyon said. "I also never imagined there would be day that we would actually be able to get married. I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed."

Related coverage:

Lesbian activist Del Martin dies at 87 (AP/San Jose Mercury News)

Gay Rights Pioneer Del Martin Dies at 87 by Steve Weinstein New York Editor-In-Chief; EDGE Boston

CONGRATULATIONS PHYLLIS AND DEL!!!!!!!!

Same-sex weddings start with union of elderly San Francisco couple
Marisa Lagos, Rachel Gordon, Chris Heredia,Jill Tucker, Chronicle Staff Writers
Monday, June 16, 2008





(06-16) 18:33 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Cheers filled San Francisco's City Hall shortly after 5 p.m. as longtime lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, partners for more than 50 years, began their second wedding - and their first legal
union.
Photo by Noah Berger, special to the Chronicle

Mayor Gavin Newsom, who officiated the ceremony in the reception area of his office, said it was a fitting way to memorialize last month's state Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in California, which took effect at 5:01 p.m.

Lyon, 83, and Martin, 87, were the first couple married four years ago when Newsom told the county clerk's office to start offering marriage certificates to same-sex couples. Eventually more than 4,000 same-sex couples were married in San Francisco that year, but those unions were later nullified by the court. Today, the couple, and dozens of others, had their first chance to make their unions truly legal.

In at least five counties around the state, other couples were pronounced "spouses for life" once the clock chimed 5.

Continue at the (source)

Editor's Note: Congratulations from our CEO, MW Savant-

"Congratulations ladies!!! From your work in creating and leading Daughters of Billitis , to your marriage the first time that February... we offer you our most sincere thanks and gratitude for every step you urged, each life you've touched, every person you've inspired and every difference you've made for the entire GLBT community! Thank you for what you have done for marriage equality and for all you do and have done for the GLBTI-family! May you have many happy times as a legally married couple! Congratulations!!!!!!!

-MWS"

Gay couples can get marriage licenses at 5:01 p.m. June 16

By Linda Goldston
Mercury News

It's official: Some gay marriage licenses in California will be issued at 5:01 p.m. on June 16 and not a day later, as originally thought. But not in Santa Clara County.

"It's a little difficult when you have to undo everything," said Regina Alcomendras, Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder. "We'll stick with the plan we have."

Alcomendras said her office will open at 8:30 a.m. June 17 and urged couples planning to take out licenses to make appointments if they plan to marry that day as well.

"We'll take walk-ins but when there are no available rooms for the ceremony, they'll have to wait," she said.

The California Supreme Court's June 4th order legalizing same sex marriage becomes final at 5 p.m. June 16. Clerks and city and county officials had believed licenses could not be issued until the following morning.

But in a clarification notice on Thursday, the California Department of Public Health's Office of Vital Records told county clerks and recorders they could begin using the new state marriage license forms at 5:01 p.m. June 16. The new forms designate "Party A" and "Party B" instead of "bride" and "groom."

'If the courts take additional action, we will provide further guidance to the counties as needed,' the notice stated. But, the notice said, county clerk's offices are not required to stay open beyond normal business hours. Alcomendras said her office has been training for the upcoming nuptials. She said she has deputies who will be able to perform the civil wedding ceremonies.

San Francisco officials said Thursday they will keep their clerk's office open and begin issuing licenses at 5:01 p.m. June 16. Mayor Gavin Newsom had been pressing the state to allow San Francisco to issue their first same-sex licenses at 5:01 p.m. June 16.

Information and Documents Regarding California Marriage Licenses (State of California)

Sample License and Certificate of Marriage and instructions