Same-sex couples begin marrying tonight in California

From left, Jeff Zarrillo, Mayor Villaraigosa and Paul Katami

Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, two of the plaintiffs in the challenge to California's Proposition 8, became the first same-sex couple to marry in Los Angeles this evening. 

The other lead plaintiffs, Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier, were married in San Francisco, also this evening.

Katami and Zarrillo were married by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the last business day of his administration. 

"I've done a few of these over the last couple of years, but never have I been prouder," Villaraigosa said at the beginning of the ceremony. "Never have I been more joyful than I am today. This is a special moment."

"On behalf of the state of California, let me pronounce you married," Villaraigosa said following the couple's exchange of vows.

Katami and Zarrilo have been together for 12 years. For the past five years, they, along with Perry and Stier, have sought to have Proposition 8 overturned. Their legal challenge finally succeeded Tuesday with a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States.

The ceremony in Los Angeles was broadcast live during Rachel Maddow's broadcast on MSNBC. Maddow also interviewed California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who officiated at the marriage of Perry and Stier in San Francisco.

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