Gay couples celebrate marriage vows after US court lifts marriage ban

Dozens of gay couples waited excitedly outside of San Francisco’s City Hall as clerks resumed issuing same-sex marriage licences, one day after a federal appeals court cleared the way for the state of California to immediately lift a 4 1/2 year freeze.

Big crowds were expected from across the state as long lines had already stretched down the lobby shortly after 9am City officials decided to hold weekend hours and let couples tie the knot as San Francisco is also celebrating its annual Pride weekend expected to draw as many as 1 million people.