INGHAM COUNTY, MI (WLNS) – It’s been a busy day for the Ingham County Clerk’s office, issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples in the area.
At last check 20 same-sex couples were issued marriage licenses. Of those 20, 10 were married on the steps of the courthouse in downtown Mason.
6 News Christa Lamendola talked to the first same-sex couple to tie the knot following Friday’s Supreme Court decision.
It may take some getting used to, but marriage across the country is no longer just between a bride and groom.
“I’m just thankful for today we can finally join all couples together in marriage,” said Barb Byrum, Ingham County Clerk.
It didn’t take long for same-sex couples to become newlyweds in Ingham County.
Many couples rushed to the courthouse to say “I do,” minutes after the Supreme Court lifted the ban.
“I’ve been blessed the day she walked in and i’ve been blessed that now I get to call her my wife,” said Lauren Brown and Lindsey Brown-Wren.
“We just broke down crying, had to pull over cancel everything for today, yeah canceled work, canceled appointments,” said Dawn Chapel and Lee Chaney, first same-sex marriage in Ingham County.
Locally there are more than 50 same-sex couples with legal marriage licenses to this day, including those who married in the short window when Michigan’s ban was initially lifted in March of last year.
On Friday couples say the license is more than a piece of paper, it’s the concrete holding together their families
“I don’t have to adopt a child that is my own and it’s also that my daughter that is nine will be able to say this is my stepmom, I mean that, that’s huge.”
But East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett says there’s still work to be done.
“They’re able to legally get married in Michigan today and they could be fired tomorrow for it because we don’t have employment protection in this state,” said Nathan Triplett, mayor, East Lansing.
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum extended the office’s hours Friday to allow as many marriages as possible.