OAKLAND: DELLUMS SAYS HE'S 'HONORED' TO PERFORM GAY WEDDINGS

Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums said today that he's "extremely pleased and honored" that he's been asked to officiate 18 weddings for gay and lesbian couples at City Hall beginning at 6 p.m. today.

Joined at a news conference outside City Hall by local clergy, other elected officials and several gay and lesbian couples, Dellums said the weddings will demonstrate "the equality of all human beings and that people stand equal before the law."

After being praised by several speakers for agreeing to perform the ceremonies, Dellums said he doesn't deserve any special credit.

Dellums said, "It took no courage today - the law is with us. This is not courage, or in your face, this is about celebration."

Likewise, when a reporter asked him if the California Supreme Court's recent ruling allowing same-sex marriages could be challenged by a possible ballot measure in November, Dellums said, "This is the law of the land. Anything beyond that is speculation. Today is about celebration."

Among the clergy who joined Dellums were the Rev. Lynice Pinkard of the First Congregational of Oakland and the Rev. Dr. Mark Wilson of the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.

Among the elected officials who were present were Oakland City Council members Larry Reid, Pat Kernighan, Jane Brunner, Jean Quan and Desley Brooks; Berkeley City Council member Darryl Moore; and AC Transit director Rebecca Kaplan, who will be in a runoff for the at-large seat on the Oakland City Council in November.

Among the couples who plan to get married tonight are city of Oakland spokeswoman Karen Boyd and her partner, Sammie Roberts.

Boyd said, "It's all about love."

 OAKLAND: DELLUMS SAYS HE'S 'HONORED' TO PERFORM GAY WEDDINGS
CBS 5, CA -