Gay couples tie the knot in Maine

After waiting years and seeing marriage rights nearly awarded and then retracted, gay couples in Maine's largest city did not have to wait a moment longer than necessary to wed, with licences issued at the stroke of midnight as the law went into effect. Among them were Steven Bridges and Michael Snell, who held a commitment ceremony six years ago but wanted to make their marriage official under state law. "It's historic. We've waited our entire lives for this," said Mr Bridges, a retail manager, who's been in a relationship with Mr Snell, a massage therapist, for nine years. Mr Bridges, 42, and Mr Snell, 53, wore lavender and purple carnations on black T-shirts with the words Love is love. More than a dozen couples stood in line to get marriage licenses at Portland City Hall early today. There were free carnation boutonnieres, and a jazz trio played. With Mr Snell's two adult daughters looking on, they exchanged their vows in the city clerk's office after getting the first marriage licence issued to a same-sex couple in Portland. They said they will hold another ceremony with friends this summer, after the weather warms up. Voters approved gay marriage in November, making Maine...