Couples Wed at Phila. City Hall To Usher In New Era of Pa. Same-Sex Marriage
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia City Hall was the setting this afternoon for a number of same-sex weddings, on the first day that same-sex couples could actually get married following this week's historic ruling (see previous story).
"I now pronounce you husband and husband -- you may seal your vows with a kiss!"
Those words by Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper made it official for Oscar Cabrera and Chris DiCapua, who spent the past 19 years in a loving relationship.
Cabrera (at right in top photo) acknowledged his tears during the ceremony.
"Yes," he said, it's very, very, very emotional for me -- and I think for Chris -- to feel like we are equals, like everybody else."
Carbrera and DiCapua were one of eight couples today who took advantage of judges who volunteered to administer wedding vows on the first day that same-sex couples could actually marry in Pennsylvania.
Catherine Connelly and Laura Devenny tied the knot two years after they had a commitment ceremony in Delaware.
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"It's nice to not have to have a little asterisk," said Connelly. "We were married but no one recognized it. Now we can just say we're married."
Judges will be available to marry couples on Saturday from 10am to 12 noon.