Let the nuptials commence: The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals just formally lifted its stay on gay marriage, opening the door for thousands of same-sex couples in California to get hitched.
This development comes two days after the Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a 2010 ruling that Prop 8, California's gay marriage ban, was unconstitutional. The hold on gay marriages was in place while Prop 8 made its way through the courts, but now it's over, and the weddings have already begun.
Kris Perry and Sandra Stier, two of the plaintiffs who contested Prop 8, are currently getting married at San Francisco City Hall amid a wave of friends and supporters, including Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
At San Francisco City Hall with Chris and Sandy. It's happening! http://t.co/ASDU0xUkVQ
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) June 28, 2013
On my way to S.F. City Hall. Let the wedding bells ring! #Prop8
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 28, 2013
Update: Perry and Stier's first kiss as a married couple:
[Image via AP]