West Hollywood Offering Free Marriage Ceremonies For Same-Sex Couples
WEST HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A record number of couples Monday began to take advantage of free same-sex marriage ceremonies in West Hollywood.
The city of West Hollywood waived fees for both same-sex and heterosexual marriages performed in its City Council chambers during a six-hour period that ran from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The ceremonies were performed on a first-come, first-serve basis by City Council members and other city officials who were temporarily deputized to help meet the expected heavy demand.
The Los Angeles County Registrar started issuing marriage licenses at 8 a.m. at all of its branches.
"It's been 10 years and we finally want to get married and be legal," Hollywood resident William Heermance said.
Heermance was first in line outside the LA County Registrar's Beverly Hills branch, located at 9355 Burton Way, 3rd Floor, Room 300.
"It's so monumental and I think it affects you in a deep and emotional way when you realize for the first time in your whole entire life that you feel equal to everybody else," Kymm Goldstein, who married her partner of 24 years.
Couples were required to have a license in order to get married.
The City of West Hollywood was offering a complimentary shuttle between the Beverly Hills registrar's office and City Hall that had run every 30 minutes starting at 7:45 a.m.
