Washington state: Judges coming in on day off to perform weddings

I love when a community comes together for the right reasons.

From Dominic Holden at The Stranger:

After learning that City Hall is fully booked for weddings on December 9, the first day gay couples can legally wed in Washington State, King County Superior Court judge Susan Craighead called this afternoon to let me know that judges have made a plan. Judges will come into the courthouse on their day off, unpaid, to meet the demand.

Many people were told there was no room left at City Hall, Judge Craighead said on the phone, and wanted me to post this to help get the word out. "The building isn't even heated, but we are willing to be in our courtrooms marrying people as needed. The court just realized that the community needs our services, and we are happy to provide them."

When time was growing short in 2008 right before Prop 8 was passed in California, Michael and I headed to Palm Springs to get married.  We had already gotten married in Toronto in 2003, but really wanted a US marriage license.

The folks at City Hall in Palm Springs were swamped with couples looking to get married before the ax fell election day. Even with a full, packed schedule, the receptionist said "come down, we aren't turning anyone away."

We arrived to find couples and families filling the entry hall of City Hall.  Ceremonies were taking place everywhere in the building as the mayor and all city council members could perform the marriage ceremony. And in a quiet corner of the City Council Meeting room, the Mayor Pro Tem Ginny Foat married us.

I'm thrilled for the couples in King County. A very exciting and emotional time ahead this weekend. I wish the best for every single couple and family.

Celebrate kids!