It was a historic day for California Monday as several dozens gay couples were married when at least five county clerks around the state extended their hours to issue marriage licenses.

Among the first to wed were lesbian rights activists Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84, who have been together for 55 years and who were plaintiffs in the landmark suit that legalized gay marriage in California. The couple was married in San Francisco in 2004 but their marriage licenses were revoked when the California supreme court voided the licenses issued by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Dozens of couples gathered outside the clerks offices in Alameda, Sonoma and Yolo counties, where hours were extended to accommodate gay couples who wanted to be among the first to marry, AP reports.

Derek Norman, 23 and Robert Blaudow, 39, from Memphis, were in the Bay Area for a conference and decided to get married at the Alameda County clerk's office.

"We might wait a long time in Tennessee, so this is our chance," Blaudow said.

First in line to pick up a marriage license in Sonoma was Melanie Phoenix, 47, and Terry Robinson, 48, of Santa Rosa. They have been together for almost 26 years and plan to be wed in August.

"It's an historic occasion," Phoenix said. "I never believed it was really possible until Gavin Newsom took the first step in 2004."

California's economy is poised for a multi-million-dollar windfall as same-sex marriages get underway, with the tourist sector eyeing a bonanza as gays and lesbians flock to the state to tie the knot.

Analysts say that a mini-industry will sprout up as California becomes the only US state to allow gays and lesbians from outside the region to get hitched on its soil. Massachusetts, the only other US state to allow same-sex marriage, forbids non-residents from exchanging vows there.

See Martin and Lyons touching ceremony here:

Last update: 06-17-2008 17:15