Columbus mayor officiates gay weddings outside city hall

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The mayor of Ohio’s capital city has performed several gay weddings in a ceremony outside city hall to celebrate this month’s landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman united 13 gay couples in marriage just after noon Saturday. Coleman’s office invited couples to submit their relationship stories to be chosen for the occasion.

The event marked the first same-sex marriage ceremony officiated by Coleman since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 26 to legalize gay marriage across the country.

Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Karla Rothan tells The Columbus Dispatch that Coleman has always been an advocate for gay rights and often has been involved in the city’s gay-pride festival.

Coleman took the couples through the traditional vows and had them exchange rings in the nine-minute ceremony.