Gay couples get in line for date with history
Dec 5, 2012, 6:49 AM | Updated: 7:50 am
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)
(AP image)
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.
