Tens of Thousands Celebrate Marriage Equality in West Hollywood

Another spontaneous celebration of the Supreme Court’s ruling legalizing same-sex marriage was expected at West Hollywood Park today, deputies said.

“They’re probably be something out there -- but not official,” said Sgt. Lance Eddins at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s West Hollywood station.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in West Hollywood Friday night to celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

Eddins said there was no special policing effort during Friday night’s celebration and that all deputies were on routine patrol during the celebration.

There was also a rally Friday night at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, said Megan Zabel of the Long Beach Police Department.

“We had no public safety issues last night related to the court ruling and rally at the civic center,” Zabel said. “There are no special plans for this evening.” Other rallies were planned for Lancaster and Palmdale. Calls to those respective sheriff’s stations were not returned for immediate comment.

“Since I was a young lawyer, I have carried a copy of the United States Constitution in my briefcase,” Lorri Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, told the crowd Friday at West Hollywood Park as she held the booklet- sized Constitution in her right hand . “Today, it finally includes us all.”

“This is truly an historic day for the LGBT community and indeed the country at large,” added Michael Weinstein, president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

“We welcome and join in celebrations nationwide, and applaud the Court and Justice (Anthony) Kennedy, in particular, for this ruling. One almost feels guilty bringing up the subject of sexual responsibility at a time when the gay community is celebrating the legal right to marry across the nation.

“But ironically, gay marriage -- and the values any sanctioned marriage encourages -- may be one of the single most successful ways to promote safer sex. One of the unintended consequences of the court’s ruling today could be a reduction in new HIV and STD infections among gay men.”