Gay Couples Tie Knot Across California

Dozens of gay couples legalized their love in California today as the state embraced same-sex marriage, the Los Angeles Times reports. While small groups demonstrated outside county clerk's offices, activist couples got first dibs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. "We just love each other," said Robin Tyler, whose marriage to Diane Olson was the first gay marriage in Los Angeles County.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated at the wedding of longtime couple Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin as cheers filled city hall, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The activists have been a couple for a half century, and were married before in a union nullified by a court ruling. "I never thought this was going to happen to tell you the truth," said a friend. (More gay marriage stories.)