Two Women Make History By Getting Married in Arkansas

The state of Arkansas issued the first same-sex marriage license to two women on Saturday, the day after a judge struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage.

Via the New York Times:

A deputy county clerk issued the license on Saturday morning to Kristin Seaton and Jennifer Rambo of Fort Smith — breaking a barrier that state voters put in place with a constitutional amendment 10 years ago. Judge Chris Piazza of Circuit Court in Little Rock struck down the ban on Friday, saying there was no rational reason for it.

Since the judge did not issue a stay, local clerks can decide if they want to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Rambo and Seaton found a clerk in Eureka Springs who didn’t seem to mind. The couple spent the night in their car after driving from Fort Smith. Their ceremony was officiated by a woman in a rainbow colored dress, according to The Times.

“Thank God,” Ms. Rambo said after Jane Osborn, the deputy clerk, issued them a license. Earlier, a different deputy clerk said she was not authorized to grant the women a marriage license and questioned whether Judge Piazza’s order had any bearing in Eureka Springs.