Paving the Way

Same-sex couples packed clerk's offices in New York early Sunday to tie the knot on the first day of New York state's official recognition of same-sex marriage. Mayor Bloomberg's office estimated that almost 500 gay couples got hitched in the city on Sunday. Same-sex couples from across the Empire State also jumped the broom. New York joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia in performing same-sex marriages.
Captions by Joshua R. Weaver
Daniel and Dennis

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Daniel Mackey and Dennis Josue hold hands in front of a New York City Hall backdrop after getting married at the Manhattan City Clerk's Office.
Da'onna and Amanda

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Pennsylvania couple Da'onna and Amanda Johnson kiss outside the Manhattan City Clerk's Office after their wedding ceremony.
Marcos and Freddy

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Marcos Chaljub and his partner, Freddy Sambrano, tie the knot at the Manhattan City Clerk's Office as friends and family snap pictures of the ceremony.
Jeanette and Kawane

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Jeanette Coleman and Kawane Harris cheer on supporters as they wait for their chance to get married in Manhattan.
Michael and Douglas

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Michael Elasser and Douglas Robinson exchange wedding bands during their ceremony in Manhattan.
Kim and Rhonda

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Kim and Rhonda Waldon married at the Brooklyn City Clerk's Office after 16 years together.
Michael and Michael

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Michael Roberts and Michael Johnson talk to the press after receiving their marriage license at the Manhattan City Clerk's Office.
Sabrina and Lillian

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Sabrina Velez and Lillian Hernandez wed at the Brooklyn City Clerk's Office.
