Marriage licenses issued as same-sex unions become legal in Va.

[brooklynite]

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in Virginia and four other states on Monday morning and by afternoon clerks of court issued the first licenses to same-sex couples.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which had heard Virginia's case, was to issue a mandate at 1 p.m., after which marriage licenses could be obtained, and unions officiated.

"You're the first in line for Richmond," Circuit Court Clerk Edward F. Jewett told Nicole Pries, 42, and Lindsey Oliver, 30, of Richmond. Shortly after 1 p.m. they were issued their license and then married outside the John Marshall Courts Building amid a throng of media and onlookers.

?resize=300%2C204

Read more: http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/national-world/marriage-licenses-issued-as-same-sex-unions-become-legal-in/article_b69318d2-ad92-5e33-a276-8da57520ef04.html

[RKP5637]

1. Yea !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. First same-sex couple files for license in Lynchburg

First same-sex couple files for license in Lynchburg

Posted: Monday, October 6, 2014 11:28 am
From staff reports

Update 2:05 p.m.: The first same-sex couple has filed a marriage application in Lynchburg Circuit Court.
....

(Staff writers Graham Moomaw and Frank Green of the Richmond Times Dispatch, and Alicia Petska and Barrett Mohrmann of the Lynchburg News & Advance contributed to this report.)

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. BREAKING: First Same-Sex Couple Weds in Arlington

BREAKING: First Same-Sex Couple Weds in Arlington

by ARLnow.com — October 6, 2014 at 3:55 pm

(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) Following a surprise U.S. Supreme Court decision this morning, a same-sex couple became the first to legally receive a marriage license and get married in Arlington. ... Arlington Clerk of the Circuit Court Paul Ferguson quickly approved the couple’s application for a marriage license, and the women then took part in a wedding ceremony outside the Arlington County Courthouse.

“It’s wonderful to be able to stand here today and perform this ceremony,” said Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles, a minister at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, who has been performing same-sex unions for more than 20 years. “The Commonwealth of Virginia agrees with us that every person has worth and dignity and that love matters no matter what your sexual orientation is. We all have the right to be married to the person we love.”

Newlyweds Erika Turner and Jennifer Melsop both are 26 years old and live in Centreville. They have been together for four years and planned on getting married in the District next year. They traveled to Arlington immediately upon learning of the court decision this morning because they heard an officiant may be available to perform a ceremony. They had no idea they were the first same-sex couple to request a marriage license in Arlington until they arrived.
....

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring spent part of the afternoon in Arlington to speak about the Supreme Court’s decision to allow same-sex marriages in Virginia and four other states. ... “This is the outcome that we have hoped for. It is the outcome we have fought for. And it is the outcome the Constitution requires,” said Herring to a crowd in front of the Arlington County Courthouse. “The rights and privileges of marriage, which are guaranteed to us by the United States Constitution, are now available to all loving, committed couples in Virginia.”

After Marriage Decision, Rejoicing as Virginia Issues Licenses to Same-Sex Couples

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR and ERIK ECKHOLMOCT. 6, 2014

ARLINGTON, Va. — Virginia began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Monday, hours after the Supreme Court’s surprise decision letting such marriages stand in five states.

Same-sex couples and other gay marriage advocates gathered in front of the Arlington courthouse and in Richmond and declared themselves pleased and stunned.

“The excitement, I don’t think can be put into words,” said Tony London of Norfolk, one of the plaintiffs in the Virginia case, in a telephone news conference.
....

Paul Ferguson, the court clerk in Arlington, Va., said that the forms had been changed from “Bride & Groom” to read “Spouse & Spouse.” The application costs $30, he said. But because of the sudden decision, which caught most court-watchers and marriage advocates off guard, there was not an immediate crush of people waiting to marry. ... Elizabeth Wildhack, 50, an elder-law lawyer in Arlington, said that since the court announced its decision, her phone has been “ringing off the hook” with friends calling to celebrate the decision. “They’re all saying, ‘I don’t have anything to wear,’ ” Ms. Wildhack said.
....

Libby Sander contributed reporting from Arlington, Va., and Alan Blinder from Atlanta.

[bpj62]

4. Liberty Baptist University

Lynchburg is the home to jerry Falwell's Liberty Baptist University. I find it highly ironic that the 1st same sex marriage license occurred in the City Courthouse that is less then 5 miles from the college campus. I bet ole Jerry is rolling over in his grave.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. Photos/Video: The First Same-Sex Couples Wed In Virginia

Photos/Video: The First Same-Sex Couples Wed In Virginia