Ann Arbor Mayor 'Excited' To Officiate First Gay Marriage, Will Charge No Fee
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Ann Arbor's mayor — who is officiating his first gay marriage on Friday — is offering up his services to officiate marriages for free.
The Ann Arbor News reports Ann Arbor City Council recently took action at Mayor Christopher Taylor's request to establish that there will be no city fees for weddings performed by the mayor. Ann Arbor previously had a $25 fee.
The Democrat told City Council that "the proposal before you that the fee be reduced to zero, and that people go forward and be married and be happy."
Taylor, who is in his first year on the job, said the offer extends to same-sex couples following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last month. Taylor was among those cheering the court's ruling, saying that day it "redeemed the American promise of equality before the law."
In a video posted to his Facebook page Friday, a smiling Taylor — appearing with his family — says: "Today's my first same-sex marriage...I am officiating a marriage between two women. I'm so excited."
Asked by his wife if he'll serenade the couple, Taylor even sings a few bars of Ava Maria (and fairly well).
"...I'm open for business," he added. "If you're interested in getting married, please come and let me know! I've got a couple lined up, and today's the first...pretty cool."
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