Wedding bells in Washington: State readies for same-sex marriage license applications
In November the state of Washington became one of three states to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples by popular vote. On Wednesday, county clerks braced for an onslaught of marriage license applications.
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"It's exciting," said Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman, a Republican. "This is a moment people will look back at years from now. I think it's important to acknowledge and celebrate it."
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Lisa Brodoff and Lynn Grotsky will be the first same-sex couple in Thurston County - and perhaps the state - to receive a marriage license.
"It's a feeling of unmitigated happiness," said Brodoff, 57, a law professor at Seattle University. "We've been together almost 32 years and we've looked forward to and hoped for this day for virtually the entire time we've been together."
SAVING THAT DATE
Brodoff said she and Grotsky, 56, could have tied the knot in one of the six states w here same-sex marriage was already legal, but they wanted to wait until they could marry in their home state.
In Seattle, King County offices were also slated to open at midnight to serve same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses and planned to stay open late, until 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, in anticipation of a surge. About 140 couples were already expected to show up at City Hall in Seattle for weddings being held there on Sunday.
In Tacoma, Pierce County will open its doors at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, two hours earlier than usual, and will provide weekend hours, as well.
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