First gay weddings celebrated in US capital

Three gay couples married Tuesday amid heavy security in a group ceremony in Washington on the first day that same-sex marriages were celebrated in the US capital.

With police cars lining the streets outside the Human Rights Campaign building and a helicopter hovering overhead, Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend became the first same-sex couple to be wed in Washington, just days after the US capital began issuing marriage licences to gay couples.

Young, in a chiffon and lace peach-colored dress, exchanged vows with Townsend, wearing a white suit, and were pronounced "partners for life" by the Reverend David North.

"You are my friend, my partner, my love. I love you today, I love you tomorrow, I love you forever," Young told her partner of 12 years, bringing tears to Townsend's eyes.

The historic, first same-sex wedding was followed minutes later by another, when Reggie Stanley and Rocky Galloway, both 50, were married as their two 15-month-old daughters Malena and Zoe looked on.

"We are here today to unite two souls who are already attuned to each other," the Reverend Sylvia Sumter said, calling on "the loving, loving father-mother God" to bless their union.

The path was opened for same-sex couples to wed in the US capital last week when the US Supreme Court refused a petition to hold a referendum on gay marriage, which would have delayed the day the law on same-sex unions took effect in Washington.

Hours after the Supreme Court decision, couples flocked to a courthouse in Washington to apply for marriage licences and then had to wait at least three business days -- until Tuesday -- before they could get married.

"Love is a mystery, relationship is a gift. Marriage is a gift that was long denied to everyone in DC, but today we open that gift," said the Reverend Dwayne Johnson as he married the third couple on Tuesday, the Reverend Elder Darlene Garner, 61, and the Reverend Lorilyn Candy Holmes, 53.

In addition to the federal capital district of Washington DC, gays can be legally wed in the states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.