Hundreds of same-sex couples lined up downtown Seattle late Wednesday to obtain marriage licenses as Washington’s new law legalizing same-sex marriage took effect at midnight, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Washington voters legalized gay marriage on Nov. 6 by approving Referendum 74.
They formed an eager, festive crowd, with couples young and old braving a night-time chill and wee-hours of waiting for the chance to make history at the normally dull King County Administration building. Supporters cheered for them with roses, coffee, hand-warmers and serenades of “Going to the Chapel.”
The licensing marathon was expected to last more than 18 hours.
Sex-advice columnist Dan Savage and his partner were among those in the crowd.
Dan Savage and his partner were also among the first couples to pick up a marriage license.
“It’s really a remarkable journey we’ve been on and such a remarkable sea change,” he said. “And not just for gay people, but straight people have changed, too. It’s gotten better for us because straight people have gotten better about us.”
