With the blessing of the federal court system, same-sex couples scrambled to get married all across Southern California Monday. The demand was so strong, city officials in West Hollywood were temporarily deputized so they could perform same-sex marriages. Ted Chen reports from West Hollywood for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on July 1, 2013.
After same-sex couples poured into West Hollywood City Council chambers to tie the knot Monday, city officials announced they will continue to perform marriage ceremonies for a few more hours on Tuesday.
The demand in West Hollywood was so strong, city officials were temporarily deputized so they could perform same-sex marriages.
Couples can partake in the extended day of ceremonies on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park City City Council chambers located at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd.
If couples want to marry as part of a Fourth of July celebration, ceremonies will be conducted on the holiday this Thursday by appointment only between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Kings Road Park located at 1000 N. Kings Road. Appointments can be made by the Beverly Hills Courthouse.
West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran said the marriages naturally served the city well.
“We’ve dedicated this portion of our public facility to do this, but with our population being 40 percent gay and lesbian, it’s well within what we should be doing for our residents.”
All couples who want to join the free ceremonies must already have a license issued by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, which will continue issuing marriage licenses at all county branches at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday.
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Couples who come to West Hollywood for a ceremony can park in the five-story parking structure adjacent to the Council chambers, and the city will provide one hour validated parking. People will need their own transportation to go get their marriage license and then return to the West Hollywood Park for a civil ceremony, as a complimentary shuttle will not be provided.
