Gay couples, clerks prepare for weddings

On the first work day since New York legalized same-sex marriage, two couples booked wedding ceremonies in Southampton for late July and three vied to be the first to marry in North Hempstead.

Even as Long Island's town clerks await implementation of the law and new state marriage license forms, their offices Monday started fielding inquiries from same-sex couples eager to get licenses or schedule wedding ceremonies.

Alan Ceppos, 61, stood outside Southampton Town Hall before it opened, hoping to get a license to marry his longtime partner, Frederic Rambaud, 55. "We've been together for 38 years, sharing our lives for that long," said Ceppos, of Water Mill.

He was able to schedule a ceremony for July 26, but getting the license must wait.

The law goes into effect 30 days after being adopted, barring any legal challenges. It was unclear Monday whether July 24, a Sunday, or July 25 would be the first day that clerks could issue marriage licenses. Weddings could take place after the required 24-hour waiting period after a license is obtained.

LI delegation disappoints

Many Long Island residents celebrated the bill's passage Monday night at a gathering in Bay Shore. But David Kilmnick, chief executive of the Long Island Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Services Network, who hosted the event, voiced disappointment that none of Long Island's nine state representatives, all Republicans, supported the bill.

"The only thing that was disheartening . . . was that none of our Long Island representatives voted to pass the bill, and we won't forget that," he said.

After the celebrations, the "hard work and details" begin, Kilmnick said. His organization is planning a July 6 meeting at the network's Bay Shore office to help people through the next steps of marriage, and even divorce.

Tina Ward Shuart, president of the New York State Town Clerks Association, said the state's 932 town clerks were gearing up to issue licenses and perform weddings. They were also anticipating that the state Health Department would provide new marriage license forms to replace the current documents that list only "groom" and "bride."

If the forms aren't available in time, Islip Town Clerk Regina Duffy has a backup plan: listing the older person as the groom and the younger person as the bride.

"We are all ready to go," Duffy said of her 12-person staff. "We will be picking things up as things go along. We will play it by ear."

Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. yesterday, Duffy's office fielded more than a dozen calls from same-sex couples seeking information about getting married.

North Hempstead Town Clerk Leslie Gross plans to personalize each ceremony she performs, saying, "I now pronounce you legally married," or "bride and bride," depending on the couple's preference.

Hempstead Town spokesman Mike Deery said officials were reaching out to states where same-sex marriage is legal "for prospective language changes for the ceremony."

Clerks at the ready

In Babylon, the town will "be gauging the number of inquiries in the coming days and weeks to determine if we need to provide additional staff for the initial rush," said spokesman Tim Ruggieri.

Huntington Town Clerk Jo Ann Raia anticipated no problems. "I'll be out at the counter, my deputies will be out at the counter, which is what we do under normal conditions," she said. "If there's a line, we'll have to deal with it."

Brookhaven Town Clerk Patricia Eddington saw no need for new staff training because "a marriage is a marriage."

Eddington, who said she supported same-sex marriage legislation when she was a state assemblywoman, said she was thrilled to perform such weddings as soon as possible. "I am excited and looking forward to being the first Brookhaven Town clerk to marry all those who love and desire to spend their lives together," she said.

With Yamiche Alcindor, Stacey Altherr, Mitchell Freedman, Deborah S. Morris, Nicholas Spangler, Candice Ruud and Patrick Whittle