Just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way by turning away several appeals on Monday, gay couples started marrying in Virginia.
The high court unexpectedly and tersely turned away appeals from five states, including Virginia, seeking to prohibit gay and lesbian unions.
At a press conference in Arlington, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring praised the Supreme Court’s decision and said that all Virginia local court clerks must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately.
Thirty-year-old Lindsey Oliver and 42-year-old Nicole Pries received the first same-sex marriage license issued from the Richmond Circuit Court Clerk’s office shortly after 1 p.m. Monday.
Upon leaving the courthouse, they were married by gay-rights advocate The Rev. Robin Gorsline.
