Same-sex marriage: Meet the first couples making US history in the states where the ban was lifted

13 states have seen gay couples rushing to apply for marriage licenses

Justin Carissimo
Monday 29 June 2015 22:04 BST
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Couples rushed to state houses across the country to file for marriage licenses after the US Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal nationwide.

The 13 states — Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas — had their bans on same-sex marriage lifted on Friday.

Arkansas:
Earnie Matheson and Tony Chiaro

Earnie Matheson, 65, and Tony Chiaro, 73, were the first couple to be recognised by Arkansas at the Pulaski County Courthouse, KATV reported.

Georgia:
Moriah Martin and Jordyn Dolente

Moriah Martin, left, and Jordyn Dolente at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse in Athens — the first gay couple wed in Athens-Clarke County.

Melissa Eidson and Misty Collins, became the first same-sex couple in Pennington County and likely the state.

Kentucky:
Tad and Ben Moore

Tadd Roberts, left and Benjamin Moore at the Jefferson County Clerks Office in Louisville. Mr Roberts and Mr Moore were the first couple married under the Supreme Court ruling in Jefferson County.

Louisiana:
Celeste Autin and Alesia LeBoeuf

Ms Autin and Ms LeBoeuf have been together 38 years, were the first to wed in Louisiana, the New Orleans Advocate reported.

“It’s overwhelming. I still can’t believe it, Ms LeBoeuf said.

Michigan:
Miesha Stinson and Tiarra Harris

Miesha Stinson, left, and Tiarra Harris of Ypsilanti embrace after exchanging vows and becoming one of the first couples to receive a license in the state.

Mississippi:
Laurin Locke and Tiffany Brosh

Laurin Locke, 24, left, and Tiffany Brosh, 26, show off their wedding bands after applying for a marriage license at the Hinds County Circuit Clerk's office in Jackson.

Missouri:
Laura Zinszer and Angela Boyle

Laura Zinszer, left, and Angela Boyle kiss after receiving their marriage license at the Recorder of Deeds office at the Boone County Government Center in Columbia, Missouri. Ms Zinszer and Ms Boyle are Boone County's first same-sex couple to receive their marriage license.

Nebraska:
Beverly Reicks and Kathy Petterson

Beverly Reicks, left, and Kathy Petterson, the first same sex couple to wed in Omaha.

North Dakota:
Trever Hill and Jesse Masterson

The pair were reportedly the first gay couple to apply for a marriage license at Cass County courthouse. However, North Dakota has imposed a delay on marriages.

Ohio:
Tim Walsh and Kery Gray

The first couple to get married in the city of Dayton were Tim Walsh and Kery Gray. Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley performed their ceremony, Dayton Daily News reported.

South Dakota:
Melissa Eidson and Misty Collins

The pair became the first same-sex couple in Pennington County and the entire state, the Captial Journal first reported.

"I'm honoured to be a part of this moment," Ms Collins said.

Tennessee:

.@MeganBarry2015 makes it official. Declared first couple married. pic.twitter.com/43QwJ4kbg4

hyphen; Adam Tamburin (@tamburintweets) June 26, 2015

Lauren Mesnard, 25, and Nikki VonHaeger, 26, arrived at the Davidson County Clerk office the historic decision, the Tennesseean reported.

Ms Mesnard and Ms VonHaeger became the first same-sex married couple officially recognised in Nashville.

"This is the first time I feel like an American," Ms Mesnard told the paper.

Texas:
Jack Evans and George Harrison

Jack Evans, 84, left, and George Harris, 82, show show their affection after being the first couple to receive a marriage license from the Dallas County Clerk office on Friday. The pair have been together for 54 years, AP reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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