Washington state begins issuing gay marriage licenses
Thu. December 6, 2012 7:53 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
jane abbott lighty and pete-e petersen
photo credit // king5.com
Lesbian couple together 35 years is first to receive certificate
Seattle, WA -
Shortly after midnight on Thursday, two Seattle women became the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Washington state.
Jane Abbott Lightly, 85, and Pete-e Petersen, 77, met on a blind date in 1977 and have been together for 35-years.
"We're so excited to know we'll get a license to get married on Sunday," Peterson told a cheering crowd outside the King County courthouse.
The King County Recorders Office expects a record number of marriage licenses to be issued on Thursday.
Last month voters in the state approved a referendum legalizing same-sex marriage. Washington state is one of three states to approve same-sex marriage through popular vote. Nine states and the District of Columbia now recognized same-sex marriage.
A new Gallup poll released Wednesday shows support for marriage equality has reached an all-time high, with 53 percent of Americans in support.
Read more on CNN | Read more on KING5.com
Related: Could Illinois be next to legalize same-sex marriage? A new poll shows growing support. (Full story)
Jane Abbott Lightly, 85, and Pete-e Petersen, 77, met on a blind date in 1977 and have been together for 35-years.
"We're so excited to know we'll get a license to get married on Sunday," Peterson told a cheering crowd outside the King County courthouse.
The King County Recorders Office expects a record number of marriage licenses to be issued on Thursday.
Last month voters in the state approved a referendum legalizing same-sex marriage. Washington state is one of three states to approve same-sex marriage through popular vote. Nine states and the District of Columbia now recognized same-sex marriage.
A new Gallup poll released Wednesday shows support for marriage equality has reached an all-time high, with 53 percent of Americans in support.
Read more on CNN | Read more on KING5.com
Related: Could Illinois be next to legalize same-sex marriage? A new poll shows growing support. (Full story)