Dozens of same-sex couples wed in Hawaii as new law takes effect

BY KAREN BROOKS
Mon Dec 2, 2013 9:07am EST

(Reuters) - Dozens of same-sex couples tied the knot in Hawaii early Monday as a new law allowing gay couples to marry went into effect at midnight.

Between 30 and 40 couples were being married at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu starting just after midnight local time (0500 ET), a hotel employee, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.

Three hours later, the ceremonies were still being performed and no protesters had shown up, the employee said. Photos posted on social media sites depicted flowers and chandeliers, wedding dresses and Hawaiian shirts, and leis on celebrating guests.

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law last month legislation extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, capping 20 years of legal and political rancor in a state regarded as a pioneer in advancing the cause of gay matrimony.

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