Watch: Hundreds Celebrate Same-Sex Marriage in OC

By Jessica Burger

Hundreds gathered at the Old Orange County Courthouse Wednesday night to celebrate landmark Supreme Court rulings legalizing same-sex marriage in California and bestowing federal benefits on gay, lesbian and transgender marriages.

Some dressed in drag, sporting wedding gowns. Most were civil rights activists, families and same-sex couples celebrating their newfound right to marry. They waved rainbow flags, cheered, hugged, ate wedding cake and watched longtime partners Jan Mabie and Beth Syverson say, “I do.”

About 400 people cheered to Etta James’ “At Last,” while Mabie and Syverson climbed the courthouse steps.

Abby Lloyd and wife Lisa Kijak had been here before.

“Five years ago, we got married on these steps,” said Lloyd, holding a sign with a picture from their wedding day and the caption, “Yes!”

The couple had been married before 2008’s Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage. Wednesday morning, Supreme Court justices issued a ruling that invalidated the ban and once again allows same-sex couples to marry in California.

Greg Galley and Jess Reay, of Irvine, remember standing on the same lawn just four years ago after the proposition passed.

“There is a great sense of community here,” said Galley. “I know a lot of these people.”