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Hundreds of same-sex couples across the state are expected to line up Wednesday to be among the first to receive marriage licenses when they become available just after midnight. (AP image)

Gay couples get in line for date with history

BY Chris Sullivan  on December 5, 2012 @ 6:49 am (Updated: 7:50 am - 12/5/12 )

It's a day some have waited decades for, and hundreds of same-sex couples are already staking their place in line to get the first marriage licenses when they officially become available at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning.

The King County Administration Building in Seattle erected tents and has detailed plans on how and where to line up in anticipation of a large crowd Wednesday night.

Executive Dow Constantine will hold a brief ceremony to honor the first couple in King County to receive its same-sex marriage license.

The Seattle Times reports longtime Seattle gay activists Pete-e Peterson and Jane Lighty will get the first one.

King County same-sex marriage FAQ

Couples can start lining up outside the building when they want, but the official queuing area doesn't open until 10 p.m. The county will issue licenses until 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and then be open for extended hours on Friday and Saturday.

Lisa Brodoff and Lynn Grotsky will be the first couple to receive their license in Thurston County. They won a lottery on Monday where the names of 15 couples were drawn from a box.

The first license issued in Clark County will go to Paul Harris, who has been issuing licenses to heterosexual couples in the county for years as manager of marriage licensing and recording.

The couples will have 60 days to use their licenses, but there is a three day waiting period before they can get married. There are a series of large wedding gatherings around the state scheduled for Sunday.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • 2shbag wrote...
    Gov. is in the hole $$$$$?
    December 5, 2012 7:41 am
    So, I still dont understand why employees of the state and elected officials need to go out of their way after hours to accomidate this pathetic cry for attention? Is the state spending money we dont have wrecklessly, or is everyone involved volenteering their time?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ratrustle wrote...
    All I can say is wow!
    December 5, 2012 8:49 am
    This may not be the PC thing to say, but I'm tired of entitled behavior. My girlfriend and I live together. She has a government job and gets health benefits. A gay couple living together has been entitled to health care under "domestic partnership" for years. What's the difference? I'm sure we all love our partners equally as much? I don't expect ANY special treatment because of my living situation which is not condoned by the church either. It sounds like I ought to hire an attorney to go after the State to get my health care benefits paid for. Using this logic -- it's the right thing to do!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Ratustle
    December 5, 2012 9:03 am
    Touché and you should file a lawsuit. Your situation is the perfect example of the hypocrisy of the Liberal Left liars and Entire Gay community. They get SPECIAL RIGHTS.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    ratrustle
    December 5, 2012 12:49 pm
    The difference here is that you have always been able to marry your girlfriend. You made a choice not to do so. Before this law passed, gays weren't allowed to marry. Their only option was "domestic partnership."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    How long will it be before the "Gay Divorces" begin?
    December 5, 2012 9:15 am
    Will the Liberal media even cover any of it?

    How much BIG DOLLARS will this bring in to the state as a result? Just like Homosexual unions were touted to bring in big money?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    Chris Sullivan jumps into the race with Brandi and Linda
    December 5, 2012 9:56 am
    Who can publish the most GAY STORIES
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • zounds wrote...
    Good for them
    December 5, 2012 1:27 pm
    Article about a couple of guys who have been together 40 years. In the Times this morning.

    To you idiots, that shouldn't count like Brittany Speers latest 15 minute one?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    meanwhile
    December 5, 2012 1:32 pm
    99.5% of the population doesn't give a....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Concerned US Citizen wrote...
    Lawyer Lined up yet?
    December 5, 2012 2:19 pm
    Welcome to marriage. Hope you have your divorce lawyer lined up!! Pre nup signed yet? You better!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }