West Hollywood readies for Supreme Court decision on gay marriage

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It could take a while, but whenever the U.S. Supreme Court decides to address California’s Proposition 8, West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran said the city will be ready.

And if the outcome is favorable to the LGBT community, Duran said to expect a party.

That could come as early as Friday night.

“Whenever it happens, we know our people are going to take to the street, because that’s what we do,” Duran said.

Map: How gay marriage has progressed in the U.S.

But at least for now, supporters of gay marriage have to keep waiting.

The nation’s highest court took no action on gay marriage cases Monday, though it could make a decision on whether to take California’s case as early as Friday. Members of the LGBT community in West Hollywood expressed an array of opinions at the news; Some said they were “exhausted” by the proceedings, while others remained calm and confident.

On Monday, Duran joined the debate. He said that many in his city think the high court will “duck” the Proposition 8 case. Doing so would allow gay marriage to return to California.

TIMELINE: Gay marriage since 2000

Duran said he and other West Hollywood officials have been in talks with Los Angeles County about setting up a marriage venue in the city where council members and other city officials could perform marriages.

Duran said the city used its City Hall and Kings Road Park as wedding venues when gay marriage was legal in California during the summer of 2008. If gay marriage was deemed legal Friday, Duran said, the city could be ready to conduct weddings in about a week.

But for now, Duran said, “our biggest challenge is for some of the more seasoned veterans like myself to talk to the young members of our community … to say ‘This is how it’s always been.’ ” Duran is preaching patience.

“We’ve always taken two steps forward, three back. Two forward, one back,” he said. “That’s just been the nature of our movement.”

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-- Matt Stevens