Arizona same-sex couples waste no time in tying the knot after marriage ruling
Oct 17, 2014, 12:31 PM | Updated: 12:42 pm
PHOENIX — Same-sex Arizona couples wasted little time getting to the altar Friday, after a federal judge knocked down the state’s ban on gay marriage.
Within an hour of Attorney General Tom Horne announcing he would not appeal the ruling and would give permission for clerks to issue marriage licenses immediately, same-sex couples began the process of tying the knot.
Some opted to pick up the license application and return home to plan their wedding, while others met with an ordained minister outside the Maricopa County Superior Court building in downtown Phoenix. Many exchanged vows and went back inside the building to submit the paperwork and make it official.
David Larance and Kevin Patterson were among the couples who sued to overturn
the state’s ban, waited in the growing line outside the clerk’s office in
downtown Phoenix Friday morning. Patterson said the decision gave him “peace
of mind” despite him forgetting the ring.
Funny moment during first #gaymarriage ceremony in #Phoenix #Arizona, Fri. Kevin Patterson forgot the ring ! pic.twitter.com/48rXeqjhM0
— Tom Tingle (@TomTingle2) October 17, 2014
Marriages weren’t just taking place in Phoenix. Same-sex couples across the Valley were getting hitched Friday.
Ann Vanacore+Helen Dunlap = first gay couple issued a marriage license in #SurpriseAz. #gaymarriage pic.twitter.com/AixfraGfwW
— Philip Haldiman (@PhilipHaldiman) October 17, 2014
Two couples at the north #Phoenix regional court complex are getting married right now. #gaymarriage pic.twitter.com/B7TAxESeX9
— Caitlin McGlade (@CaitMcGlade) October 17, 2014
Just like that, history happens. 1st #Arizona couple to get #gaymarriage license at San Tan court, Chandler. pic.twitter.com/NR5ci42arm
— Dianna M. Náñez (@DiannaNanez) October 17, 2014
1st female couple leave the Pima County Courthouse,wedding was already planned for tomorrow #gaymarriage #Arizona pic.twitter.com/DAgU5GA4Mp
— Mariana Dale (@mariana_dale) October 17, 2014
KTAR’s Mark Remillard and the Associated Press contributed this report.
