Shuttle to Love

GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Wanda Lawson, 63, and Lauryne Braithwaite, 65, met 32 years ago at a technical college and have been together ever since — but they didn't get organized in time to wed in 2008.

The two were among the first to take advantage of free ceremonies all day Monday in West Hollywood, where the City Council was deputized to conduct weddings.

A free bus service shuttled beaming couples between the Beverly Hills courthouse, where they got a marriage license, and West Hollywood for the ceremonies.

"It's exciting," Lawson said. "We've laughed. We've cried. To be made equal is a wonderful thing."

Wearing rainbow leis, the two walked arm-in-arm down the sidewalk with the marriage certificate tucked in a manila envelope.

Braithwaite, a retired transit employee, said she felt married already, but went through the ceremony because it was important to Lawson.

"I don't need a piece of paper to say that you're mine," she said, turning to Lawson.