Ah, marriage. Whether you’re for it, against it, or just plain stuck in it, it’s hard to be jaded while viewing the The New York Times’ slideshow of yesterday’s scenes at San Francisco City Hall and West Hollywood Park, on the first day of legal same-sex marriage in California. Mayor Gavin Newsom personally officiated the union of early activists Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, aged 84 and 87 (living proof that some gay couples actually do make it), and The Washington Post is reporting One Big Wedding Party. “Star Trek” helmsman George Takei, with new husband Brad Altman, illustrated the upbeat vibe proclaiming, “‘May equality live long and prosper!’ Then he raised his palm, his fingers splayed in the universally recognized Vulcan greeting.” Takei’s Myspace page is filling with congrats.

Tomorrow will bring damaging lawsuits, contentious custody battles, humiliating, difficult divorces, and even the possibility that the backlash will be enough to elect McCain. But for today, Mazel Tov!

More:

• Vignettes from California’s same-sex weddings, Wapost
• Washington Post slideshow
• Full coverage at SFGate
• Your Stories: Gay Marriage in California, NYT Blog The Lede