Maine Sees First Gay Marriages

Arriving in a limo, Donna Galluzzo and Lisa Gorney had all the trappings of a traditional wedding: Rings, flowers, wedding vows, an entourage, and a friend to officiate. They were among the first gay couples to exchange wedding vows early this morning after Maine's same-sex marriage law went into effect at midnight. "We're paving the way for people to go after us," said Gorney after their ceremony in front of City Hall in Portland. "It's freeing. It's what's right."

Steven Bridges and Michael Snell were the first in line, and they received cheers from more than 200 people waiting outside after they wed in the clerk's office. Voters in Maine, Maryland, and Washington state approved gay marriage in November, making them the first states to do so by popular vote. Gay marriage already was legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the District of Columbia, but those laws were either enacted by lawmakers or through court rulings. (More Maine stories.)