Gay Marriages Begin In California

Michael John (L) and Gustavo Montano are joined in wedlock by Sister Unity (R) of the Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, assisted by Sister Marguerite Snatcher (2ed R), as the era of same-sex marriage begins in California, June 17, 2008 in West Hollywood, California. Conservative and religious groups hope that voters will support their initiative on the November ballot to alter the state constitution to permanently ban gay marriages. Meanwhile, many business owners are looking for a wedding related sales boom. A study released by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) this month projects that nearly half of the state's 102,600 same-sex couples will marry in the next three years and, along with same-sex couples from other states, will spend more than $683 million on weddings, honeymoons and other marriage-related activities.

( - Photo by David McNew/Getty Images North America)