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Gay Weddings Go on Without Bridezillas

Flamboyant or offbeat Calif. ceremonies could hurt the cause

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2008 1:56 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Same-sex couples getting married in California are trying to avoid offbeat weddings that gay marriage opponents could use in a campaign against them, reports the LA Times. "We want everybody to be free, but the image does matter. They are going to try to make us look like freaks," says a soon-to-be-wed Californian.

"One of the things that have hurt the gay effort in California is the exhibitionism in San Francisco," says a political analyst. Still, proponents point to polls that show that in Massachusetts, people become more accepting after witnessing gay marriages. "It's the power of marriage," says an adviser to San Francisco's mayor, gay-marriage cheerleader Gavin Newsom.

Shelly Bailes, left, and Ellen Pontac, right, hold each other during their wedding ceremony held at the Yolo County Clerk/Recorder's office in Woodland, Calif., Monday, June 16, 2008.
Shelly Bailes, left, and Ellen Pontac, right, hold each other during their wedding ceremony held at the Yolo County Clerk/Recorder's office in Woodland, Calif., Monday, June 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Jeff Barr, left, places a wedding ring on the finger of Wes Wilkinson during their wedding ceremony at the Yolo County Clerk/Recorder's office in Woodland, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2008.
Jeff Barr, left, places a wedding ring on the finger of Wes Wilkinson during their wedding ceremony at the Yolo County Clerk/Recorder's office in Woodland, Calif. on Monday, June 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Robin Tyler, left, holds their marriage certificates as she walks out of Beverly Hills Courthouse with Diane Olson after their wedding Monday, June 16, 2008, in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Robin Tyler, left, holds their marriage certificates as she walks out of Beverly Hills Courthouse with Diane Olson after their wedding Monday, June 16, 2008, in Beverly Hills, Calif.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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