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| Washington state begins issuing same-sex marriage licences | Washington state begins issuing same-sex marriage licences |
| (30 days later) | |
| Two women who have been a couple for 32 years were among the first to be granted a same-sex marriage licence in Washington state early on Thursday morning. | Two women who have been a couple for 32 years were among the first to be granted a same-sex marriage licence in Washington state early on Thursday morning. |
| A law legalising same-sex unions took effect at midnight, and officials geared up for a flood of applications from gay and lesbian couples eager to exchange vows. | A law legalising same-sex unions took effect at midnight, and officials geared up for a flood of applications from gay and lesbian couples eager to exchange vows. |
| In Olympia, the state capital, the Thurston County auditor's office planned to grant marriage licenses to the 15 same-sex couples who entered a lottery to be served first at midnight. | In Olympia, the state capital, the Thurston County auditor's office planned to grant marriage licenses to the 15 same-sex couples who entered a lottery to be served first at midnight. |
| Lisa Brodoff and Lynn Grotsky, partners of nearly 32 years, became the first same-sex couple in Thurston County, and likely the state, to receive a marriage license, to the cheers of a crowd of other same-sex couples and supporters. | Lisa Brodoff and Lynn Grotsky, partners of nearly 32 years, became the first same-sex couple in Thurston County, and likely the state, to receive a marriage license, to the cheers of a crowd of other same-sex couples and supporters. |
| "We have the greatest feeling of happiness and relief and excitement," said Brodoff, 57, a law professor at Seattle University. | "We have the greatest feeling of happiness and relief and excitement," said Brodoff, 57, a law professor at Seattle University. |
| Grotsky, a 56-year-old social worker, told Reuters that when she and Brodoff became a couple, they were afraid to tell acquaintances and co-workers that they were lesbians. "Everything was a fight and a conflict," Grotsky said. "Now it's like we're regular people." | Grotsky, a 56-year-old social worker, told Reuters that when she and Brodoff became a couple, they were afraid to tell acquaintances and co-workers that they were lesbians. "Everything was a fight and a conflict," Grotsky said. "Now it's like we're regular people." |
| Washington made history last month as one of three US states where marriage rights were extended to same-sex couples by popular vote, joining Maryland and Maine in passing ballot initiatives on 6 November recognising gay unions. | Washington made history last month as one of three US states where marriage rights were extended to same-sex couples by popular vote, joining Maryland and Maine in passing ballot initiatives on 6 November recognising gay unions. |
| Washington became the first of those states to put its law into effect – it became law at the stroke of midnight – and same-sex marriage is set to go on the books in Maine on 29 December and in Maryland on 1 January. | Washington became the first of those states to put its law into effect – it became law at the stroke of midnight – and same-sex marriage is set to go on the books in Maine on 29 December and in Maryland on 1 January. |
| Under Washington state law, all couples must get their marriage certificates at least three days in advance. So the first wave of same-sex Washington weddings – expected to number in the hundreds – is scheduled for Sunday. | Under Washington state law, all couples must get their marriage certificates at least three days in advance. So the first wave of same-sex Washington weddings – expected to number in the hundreds – is scheduled for Sunday. |
| In Seattle, about 150 same-sex couples lined up outside county offices shortly before midnight, waiting in a festive atmosphere for the doors to open to obtain marriage licenses. Some sat in lawn chairs and others brought late-night picnics. | In Seattle, about 150 same-sex couples lined up outside county offices shortly before midnight, waiting in a festive atmosphere for the doors to open to obtain marriage licenses. Some sat in lawn chairs and others brought late-night picnics. |
| The Democratic-controlled state legislature in Washington passed a bill to legalise gay marriage in February, and Democratic governor Christine Gregoire swiftly signed it into law. | The Democratic-controlled state legislature in Washington passed a bill to legalise gay marriage in February, and Democratic governor Christine Gregoire swiftly signed it into law. |
| But opponents collected enough signatures to temporarily block the measure from taking effect and force the issue onto the state ballot in November. Voters passed it by 54% to 46%. | But opponents collected enough signatures to temporarily block the measure from taking effect and force the issue onto the state ballot in November. Voters passed it by 54% to 46%. |
| "It feels like we're on even ground," said Derek Hoffman, 33, who received a license in Olympia to marry his partner of 10 years, Chris Waterman, 35. "Like not being less than other people." | "It feels like we're on even ground," said Derek Hoffman, 33, who received a license in Olympia to marry his partner of 10 years, Chris Waterman, 35. "Like not being less than other people." |
| Olympia residents Tina Roose and Teresa Guajardo said they would wait until 15 December to marry, having reserved the majestic state capitol rotunda for a pre-Christmas wedding ceremony. | Olympia residents Tina Roose and Teresa Guajardo said they would wait until 15 December to marry, having reserved the majestic state capitol rotunda for a pre-Christmas wedding ceremony. |
| The uncertainty of the ballot initiative process proved a bit of a nail-biter as Roose and Guajardo waited for the election results to see if they could keep their reservation. "I am able to marry the person that I love," Roose said. She said the couple had invited others, both gay and straight, to tie the knot alongside them at the capitol. | The uncertainty of the ballot initiative process proved a bit of a nail-biter as Roose and Guajardo waited for the election results to see if they could keep their reservation. "I am able to marry the person that I love," Roose said. She said the couple had invited others, both gay and straight, to tie the knot alongside them at the capitol. |
| "I just ran into a colleague today at a grocery," added Roose, a retired librarian. "She was so excited. She asked all the typical questions like: 'What are you going to wear?'" | "I just ran into a colleague today at a grocery," added Roose, a retired librarian. "She was so excited. She asked all the typical questions like: 'What are you going to wear?'" |
| As for those who voted against same-sex marriage, Roose said she hoped they would be won over "with love". | As for those who voted against same-sex marriage, Roose said she hoped they would be won over "with love". |
| "You can only change people's attitudes one heart at a time," she said. | "You can only change people's attitudes one heart at a time," she said. |
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