Despite my opposition to court-mandated gay marriage, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight some developments this week from California and beyond.

First, some personal stories of the first-day of marriage ceremonies in San Francisco are chronicled at a website called the “Experience Project.”

The energy inside was very different from the energy outside. Most of the couples remained inside throughout their time at City Hall, and only emerged afterwards for a short while. But inside there were happy wedding parties, families, and well-wishers congratulating the soon-to-be-married couples holding their blank applications for a wedding license. In almost every statement made by the constantly interviewed couples, they stated that the fact that they could now be married made them feel like equal citizens in American society.

Second, Pittsburgh now allows city-sanctioned domestic partnership registries — and domestic benefits for city workers.

The Pittsburgh City Council gave final approval today to a domestic partner registry. The registry will provide a standard for employers to allow workers to share benefits with their partners. Openly gay city council member and former Victory Fund endorsee Bruce Kraus wrote the legislation.

The legislation passed by a vote of 7-1 and brought cheers from several people in the audience who were at the meeting to receive a proclamation for Pride Week events. Kraus said that the legislation shows that “Pittsburgh is in fact a very progressive and forward-thinking city.”

Log Cabin Republicans celebrates.

“Today, gay and lesbian couples will officially be recognized as families by the state government,” declared James Vaughn, Director of the California Log Cabin Republicans.  “We hear a lot about ‘family values’ and today, finally, gay and lesbian families in California are part of that equation.  All families deserve the opportunity to become part of a tradition that strengthens the foundation of society, just as our parents and grandparents before us.”

Finally, will there be a car-to-man marriage mandated by the courts in California someday?  The goats are taken.

-Bruce (GayPatriot)