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Same-Sex Marriages Rise In Past Week
Coupes Fear Effect Of Prop 8 Vote
POSTED: 7:20 pm PST November 3,
2008
UPDATED: 4:23 pm PST November 5,
2008
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- According to the leader of a local Unitarian church, the looming Proposition 8 vote has same-sex couples making a dash for the altar.ABC 23's Central Bakersfield reporter Karl Mandik caught up with Byrd Tetzlaff on Monday, who is the reverend at a local Unitarian church. Monday night marked Tetzlaff's 70th same-sex marriage.Tetzlaff started the unifications on June 17 when it became legal, and has had a steady flow of couples come to her every week since.
The reverend said she had been averaging about two same-sex marriages a week -- until the last week leading up to the landmark Prop 8 vote. Tetzlaff said including the marriage she performed Monday night, she has brought together eight couples in the past week.Tetzlaff said there is a new urgency.Tetzlaff met with ABC 23 Monday at the Kern County administration building. The reverend said she has been spending a considerable amount of time at the building, resolving same-sex marriage license issues. She said the county, though kind in their dealings, has been very picky about same-sex licenses and how they are worded.Tetzlaff said that she has never had issues with licenses for heterosexual couples. But she said that out of every seven same-sex marriages she performs, the county takes issue with the wording of the license.
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