The marriage equality law in New York came into effect at midnight. Eight hundred and twenty-three gay couples won a lottery to get married at the first available opportunity, and judges, lawyers and others offered their services immediately, working to sign marriage certificates and waive the 24-hour waiting period it would take to get a license, in order to make sure the happy couples were no longer denied their civil rights for one more minute. Even more couples from around the state have wed since the bill officially became law.
The National Organization for Marriage and the Westboro Baptist Church are in New York to protest these marriages today. NOM is busing in loads of people and the groups are appearing across the street from each other to preach their message of intolerance toward gay and lesbian Americans.
