Photos And Video! First Same-Sex Couples Marrying In Michigan!
Hundreds Line Up Across The State — ‘It’s Crazy Out Here’
Thanks to several committed county clerks taking initiative, same-sex couples have just started to marry in Michigan, one day after a federal judge struck down that state’s ban. Across the state, in Ann Arbor (Washtenaw County), Muskegon (Muskegon County), Pontiac (Oakland County), Mason (Ingham County), same-sex couples and their families and friends have been lined up for hours and began marrying early this morning.
WATCH: Here’s The Moment Two Michigan Moms Learn Their Case Just Won Them The Right To Marry
Barb Byrum, the Ingham county clerk, opened her offices at 8 AM and on Twitter wrote, “People have waited long enough. I was sick with myself with the idea of waiting until Monday.”
County clerks’ offices are generally not open on Saturdays. The clerks have been waiving the three-day waiting period, and some have been waiving the $20 marriage license fee.
The Michigan Attorney General earlier in the week had issued a warning to clerks to not issue licenses to same-sex couples if judge Bernard Friedman struck down Michigan’s ban.
Byrum took issue with that:
Interesting, the AG is forbidding me to follow the law, if it changes. http://t.co/SsBfTi4ITZ via @detroitnews
— BarbByrum (@BarbByrum) March 19, 2014
Austen Smith, Editor for the Saline Reporter and Milan News-Leader, posted this tweet, and the video, below:
More from just outside Washtenaw clerks office, it’s crazy out here pic.twitter.com/LqNcjWcEGs
— Austen Smith (@AustenSmith31) March 22, 2014
//www.tout.com/embed/touts/88800w
READ: Federal Judge’s Ruling Striking Down Michigan Same-Sex Marriage Ban
And here are photos of the first same-sex couples to marry in Michigan, and of the lines and over-flowing waiting rooms.
Congratulations to Michigan, the 18th state to embrace marriage equality.
//storify.com/davidbadash/photos-first-same-sex-couples-to-marry-in-michigan/embed
[View the story “Photos! First Same-Sex Couples To Marry In Michigan!” on Storify]
Image, top, by Steve Friess via Twitter
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