2 years ago
WOODLAND, CA - Yolo County Clerk Recorder Freddie Oakley made good on her vow to start marrying same sex couples as soon as it was legal.
Oakley officiated as Shelly Bailes and Ellen Pontac of Davis tied the knot in front of family and friends at the county clerk's office in Woodland. The two women who have been partners for 34 years couldn't help but shed a few tears.
As they emerged from the ceremony room the women raised their hands and declared, "We're married."
"I just couldn't believe it. It was so wonderful, so touching said Bailes. It's been a long time coming." Pontac agreed adding, "It's about time. It's been a long engagement."
Oakley said, "It's not fair that we have denied them for so long. It is so wrong that we have discriminated against people who just want this moment and to be like everybody else."
Oakley extended her office hours Monday night to accommodate 11 gay couples who signed up to get a marriage license and have a wedding in the clerk's ceremony room. In these hard economic times, Oakley said, "We charge $75 for licenses and $50 for ceremonies. So we're making a profit every time someone says 'I do.'"
Bailes and Pontac had a reception out in the hallway with champagne and a cake with two female figurines in bridal dresses. However, Yuriy Popko, an anti-gay protester barged in and pointed at the couple and said, "This marriage is fake!"
The couple's family members and friends pushed Popko back and soon a bailiff escorted him back outside where he joined other sign-carrying protesters.
"I am from the Soviet Union and this is kind of stuff is what they did in the Soviet Union," Popko said. "This is tyranny, judicial tyranny. They're not following the law. The government needs to stay out of church business." Richard Otterstad, another demonstrator said, "This violates natural law and God's law. The second thing which is even more important, it violates state law." Protestors said they support a measure which will be on the ballot which will amend California's constitution to say a marriage is between a man and a woman.
Within 20 minutes, a second couple was wed. Elizabeth Bacon and her partner said they are overjoyed that couples who have waited for years, are finally being legally recognized. "Unbelievable. And obviously overwhelming to be given this gift, and especially within our lifetime," said Bacon.
Oakley said she expects her office will be busy in coming days. She added, "If the law changes again in November no one will be able to change the fact that all these people exercised their civil rights and got married over the summer."
Her office has 108 more same-sex ceremonies scheduled for Tuesday.
News10/KXTV
