SAN FRANCISCO — Only two days after the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the 2010 injunction that had blocked a federal judge’s ruling declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional, there were a total of 563 same-sex marriage licenses issued and 479 same-sex marriage licenses recorded in San Francisco.
Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu said, “Participating in these marriage ceremonies and officially recording these marriage licenses has been one of the greatest honors that has been bestowed on me. I am proud to call myself a San Franciscan and to have shared in a special moment of hundreds of same-sex couples this weekend.”
The doors of City Hall were open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, there were 236 marriage licenses issued and 218 licenses recorded. On Saturday, there were 246 marriage licenses issued and 200 licenses recorded. San Francisco was the only county in California open over the weekend for couples to marry.
Chu added, “Today was a remarkable day. I am deeply touched by the outpouring of support from our city employees and volunteers who took the time to be here at City Hall, working after hours and on their weekend, to perform our collective duties – that of ensuring that loving same-sex couples don’t have to wait to marry any longer.”
On Friday, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, who were plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Proposition 8, became the first couple to be married in San Francisco after the injunction was lifted. The ceremony was conducted by California Attorney General Kamala Harris and Mayor Ed Lee was a witness. Chu had the distinction of signing the license and officially recording it as part of the public record.
“We were fully prepared and ready for this moment,” Chu said. “With the help of other city departments and countless volunteers, same-sex couples are getting hitched, without a glitch.”