NYC To Open Offices On Sunday, July 24th For First Day Of Same-Sex Marriages

New York City will take the "unusual step" of opening city offices on Sunday, July 24th so that gay couples may be married on the first day it becomes legal.

The city clerk’s offices in all five boroughs will open that day, and judges will be on hand to officiate at the weddings after couples receive marriage licenses. The decision by city officials to expedite same-sex weddings comes as city and town clerks across the state are grappling with the fact that the law goes into effect on a day when municipal offices are usually closed. Officials in some cities and towns say they are expecting a surge in marriage applications from same-sex couples. The announcement came a day after the city began allowing gay couples to apply online for marriage licenses, though they cannot be issued until July 24 — 30 days after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the same-sex-marriage legislation following its approval by the Legislature.

It's unknown how many couples may show up on the first day, but city officials say they are bracing for long lines and big crowds of well-wishers.

QUEENS: Restaurant Offers Free Gay Wedding Reception

Popular Queens eatery Molly Blooms is offering a free gay wedding reception to one lucky couple whose names will be randomly selected from a bowl in the venue's lobby.

Ciaran Staunton, the owner of Molly Blooms in Sunnyside, is offering a free wedding reception to a gay couple who plan to tie the knot after the law legalizing same-sex marriage goes into effect July 24. "I think it's important to be part of this groundbreaking civil rights victory," said Staunton, who lives with his wife and two children in Sunnyside. "It's a wonderful moment for New York State and its residents." Staunton's offer, while generous, is also savvy. Queens has a large population of gay and lesbian couples who will be on the hunt for that perfect place to celebrate their nuptials.

The reception will include a buffet for 75 people and three hours of open bar. Not too shabby, but surely worth the goodwill Molly Blooms will win in return.

(Tipped by JMG reader Caleb)