Equality California

Not unlike four years ago when he stunned the political world by sanctioning gay marriage in his city, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will be ready at 5:01 p.m. today when the recent state Supreme Court's decision legalizing gay marriage goes into effect.

Newsom spokeswoman Giselle Barry said the mayor will personally officiate a not-so-private wedding ceremony at City Hall bringing together lesbians Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon.

Newsom won't be the only left-leaning progressive official in California to jump on the opportunity to officiate same-sex nuptials this week. Starting Tuesday morning, mayors and county and city clerks across the state are expecting a surge of requests for both same-sex marriage licenses as well as requests for City Hall wedding ceremonies.

Supporters and opponents of a statewide measure expected to appear on November’s ballot aimed at defining marriage as between a man and woman are gearing up for a heated, expensive fight, both sides have told PolitickerCA.com.

“It’s really going to be the fight of our lives,” said Alice Keffler, a representative for Equality California, a gay rights organization that is leading the charge against the measure.

Keffler said she expected opponents of the measure to raise between $16-$20 million for the fight, while Andrew Pugno, an attorney who is helping to head up the effort to pass the measure, said he believed his side would need to spend between $10-$15 million. “It will be difficult, but it will be necessary,” said Pugno.