KESQ.com News Services
With the state's gay marriage ban about to be lifted, Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and City Council members Ginny Foat and Rick Hutcheson expect to be busy over the next several months performing civil marriage ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples looking to tie the knot.
The trio, who are all openly gay, have been deputized to perform marriages throughout the county.
Pougnet will perform his first ceremony, along with former Mayor Rod Oden, who is also gay, for Palm Springs residents Dean Seymour and Philip Colavito at 8 a.m. Tuesday on the lawn in front of the Riverside County Clerk's Office in Indio. Tuesday is the day gay marriage will become legal in California.
"It's exciting ... it should be an experience," Pougnet said, adding that he expected the service and vows to be customized according to the wishes of the grooms.
Foat said she is scheduled to perform one ceremony on June 20 for two gay men who have have been together for more than 30 years. But she said she expects her schedule to get much busier with appointments after Tuesday.
"I think in the beginning people will just want to get their licenses and then start scheduling a date so they can do it right," she said. "I've heard Spencer's (restaurant) is already booked in October."
In fact, Steve Rouch, director of sales for Spencer's at the Mountain, one of Palm Springs' toniest restaurants, confirmed that September and October dates are filling up.
"I'm getting a lot of calls for September and October ... right up to election day (Nov. 4)," he said. "I've also had a lot of calls from wedding Web sites and expos wanting me to advertise."
Voters on Nov. 4 will decided on a proposed constitutional amendment that would again ban gay marriage in California.
Marriage license applications can be downloaded through the county clerk's Web site at http://riverside.asrclkrec.com.
Couples must pay $68 for a public marriage license or $76 for a confidential license, as well as $40 for the civil ceremony at the County Administration Center in Indio.
Couples who want a more extravagant wedding can call the Palm Springs City Clerk's Office and make an appointment with Pougnet, Foat or Hutcheson, who will come to their home or a special site to perform the ceremony.
"It's an honor... I'm excited and humbled to be involved," Foat said. The fee for a civil ceremony in Palm Springs is $100. The city, which has a large gay and lesbian community, is hoping to cash in as a tourist destination for gay couples looking to come and get married in California.
A Web site located at www.marriedinpalmsprings.com was recently started for couples looking for Palm Springs wedding and event information, Foat said.
The site boasts a message from Pougnet which reads in part: "The city of Palm Springs invites same-sex couples to come to our welcoming community and experience this historic opportunity. We are prepared to help you with all your wedding needs and embrace you on this, this most wonderful day of your life."
The city, Chamber of Commerce, and Bureau of Tourism will also sponsor a Marriage Weekend in Palm Springs that will begin at 6 p.m. June 20 with a "Celebration of Marriage" pre-party at the Parker Hotel, followed by a 7 p.m. party on June 21 on La Plaza off Palm Canyon Drive that will feature live music and wedding cakes.
Weddings may be performed on site by Pougnet and the deputized City Council members.
