Gay Marriages Finally Take Place

Thousands of same-sex couples were ready to apply for marriage licenses. But the impact will reach well beyond Massachusetts' borders. Gay activists are expected to use the new marriages to challenge laws in other states that ban same-sex marriages. Opponents of gay marriage say they will step up efforts to pass similar laws, including an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

A new Gallup Poll shows opposition to gay marriage is weakening. The nationwide poll taken in early May found 42% favor gay marriage — up from 31% in mid-December, after the Massachusetts court ruling that same-sex marriages should be legal. The poll shows 55% oppose same-sex marriage — down from 65% in December.

Last-minute legal efforts to bar gay marriages in the state were denied by federal courts last week.

Cambridge was to be the first city to start processing marriage licenses at 12:01 a.m. today, following an evening of music, speeches and a giant wedding cake at City Hall. About 300 people gathered there Saturday to protest gay marriage.

Long lines of couples are expected in Boston and other cities when offices open during regular hours. David Goldman, 50, and Jacques Abbatto, 47, partners for 25 years, plan to get in line at Boston City Hall about 5 a.m. "I really want this to happen," Goldman said Sunday. "We've always believed we were married; it's everyone else who hadn't figured it out."

Other communities with large gay populations, including Provincetown and Northampton, have plans for an onslaught of applicants.

Monday's historic move was ordered by the state's Supreme Judicial Court in November. The court said denying marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples violates the state constitution. Since then, the state Legislature has passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to a man and a woman. It can't go to voters until November 2006.