Court Brock

Recently enacted legislation has paved the way for same sex couples to marry in the State of California. Unlike Massachusetts, which also allows same sex weddings, California allows non-residents to take advantage of this new freedom. This doesn't mean anyone can do it, as you may end up in trouble in your home state. While most states will recognize your union, others will not. There are even two (Wisconsin and Delaware) in which you would be breaking the law. In fact, with the current Wisconsin law, you could be locked up for nine months as well as face a $10,000 fine upon returning home. In almost all states, the new law in California has legislators rushing to define what will happen to those coming home after wedding in California, or elsewhere in the future. It's not just about government interference, either. They simply have to have some sort of policy since marriage or other state approved unions grant hundreds of additional rights to citizens such as the right to adopt, to be present in a hospital, tax breaks, and many more. What does this all mean to the same sex couple looking to head out West to tie the knot. As much as I hate to say this, it means you should probably consult an attorney before making the trip. TahoeWeddings.com features a directory of vendors for Lake Tahoe Gay/Lesbian Weddings. http://www.tahoeweddings.com/gay-weddings.htm