Oct 19, 2008 2:38 pm US/Pacific
SF City Hall Open Longer For Prop. 8 Wedding Rush
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / KCBS) ―
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A same-sex couple holds hands as they enter San Francisco City Hall June 17, 2008, in San Francisco.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
San Francisco City Hall will stay open late the next two weeks to accommodate a rush of same-sex couples who want to get married before Election Day because of growing fear that Proposition 8 might pass.
On Tuesday through Thursday for the next two weeks, City Hall weddings will be available until 6 p.m., which is two hours later than usual.
That's because hundreds of gay and lesbian couples are hurrying to tie the knot, just in case voters ban same-sex marriage again.
Lesbian activist Laura Spanjian says there are a lot of wedding invitations going out all of a sudden.
"A lot of people are having flash weddings, and it is unfortunate, but I think that not only will they get married now because they're feeling a little bit of pressure, but they'll have parties and celebrations after November 4th so that it doesn't feel as rushed and pressured," said Spanjian
She says she has decided to wait to marry her fiance, to instead focus her energy on defeating Prop 8, which would overturn the Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage in California.
However, Jennifer Kerns with "Yes on " is confident her side will prevail.
"No doubt about it, it will be close all the way through Election Day. I know both sides are working very hard to get their message out in anticipation of it being an extremely close race," said Kerns.
Legal experts are split on whether these marriages will stand if Prop 8 passes.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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