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Today, June 16th, California starts issuing marriage licenses for same sex couples. An extremely good article outlining everything one would need to know about the subject is in this article from the L.A. Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-marriageqa,0,1091535.story (Thanks Dennis for sending it!)


Disturbingly Wisconsin (my home state) prohibits gay marriage and even would fine people for being in a committed relationship.......


If I don't live in California, can I come to California and get married?


Yes, you do not have to live in California to marry here, and Massachusetts and New York state will recognize the marriages. Other states may not recognize the marriages, and some, including Wisconsin and Delaware, impose criminal penalties on its residents "if they enter a marriage outside the state that would have been prohibited in the state," such as gay marriage, according to a fact sheet posted on Lambda Legal's website.


The law in Wisconsin, for example, permits authorities to punish offenders with a fine of up to $10,000 and nine months imprisonment.


and another question that I loved... I don't think I realized just how many other places offered gay couples the right to marry until I saw this laid out:


My partner and I were married in Spain two years ago. Can we apply somehow to have our marriage recognized by the state? -- Chris


There is no need to register out-of-state or foreign marriages with California authorities. As of 5:01 p.m. June 16, California will automatically recognize same-sex marriages performed legally elsewhere. Massachusetts, Canada, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and South Africa grant gay marriages.