THE WAVE ROLLS ON

First it was Gavin Newsom in San Francisco. Then New Mexico, then upstate New York, and now Oregon's largest county is about to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Multnomah County, Oregon's most populous and liberal county, is going to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples Wednesday, joining San Francisco in sanctioning same-sex marriages.

Multnomah County Chair Diane Linn has directed the county to begin issuing the licenses, after consulting with the county attorney -- but without an official vote from the four other county commissioners.

"She did it without a vote, but she doesn't need it. She has majority support," said Commissioner Serena Cruz.

Like San Francisco, Portland -- the largest city in Multnomah County and in the state -- has long been viewed as a bastion of liberalism. It's an image that stands to be reinforced if same-sex couple here are issued marriage licenses.

But, as in California, opposition from Oregon's Republican leadership was swift.

"I'm very upset that this travesty is taking place in Oregon. It definitely is an insult to the voters and to the people," said Kevin Mannix, chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, who called for the attorney general to put a halt to the marriages immediately.

Meanwhile, at Portland oldest lesbian bar, long-standing couples began planning their bridal wear.

"It's history in the making," said Heather Spotts, 32, the bartender of the Egyptian Club. "Me and my partner are going to go down tomorrow. Even if the certificate doesn't hold up, we'll give to our little boy to put up on the wall."

Please do not make a joke about that last quote, thanks!

Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus was an "insult" to the people of Alabama. Right, Mr. Mannix. Dude, I'm sorry to see that your marriage has been absolutely destroyed by this. That's too bad, you and your wife had a very good run.