Dozens of licenses issued after same-sex marriage ban rejected

61 marriage licenses issued Friday; couples marry on steps outside City-County Building

MADISON, Wis. — Same-sex couples wasted no time lining up to make their marriage official after a federal judge struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage Friday.

The first same-sex couple to wed in the state lined up moments after the pair heard that U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb issued her ruling.

Renee Currie and Shari Roll, both of Madison, said they’re excited to make official what they’ve known for a long time.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Roll said. “I feel like we shouldn’t be the first ones, because so many people did so much before us. But when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”

The couple has been in a legal partnership for years, but they said they can finally feel secure.

“That is for real, that we get all of the benefits, not just domestic partnership benefits,” Currie said.

And they weren’t the only ones to get hitched Friday. Couples lined out the door of the county clerk’s office to make their marriage official in the eyes of the law.

Emily Kokie said the marriage was a moment of validation for her and her partner, who were also married Friday on the steps of the City-County Building.

“We waited a long time for this and then stood in line,” Kokie said. “It’s sort of overwhelming for it to finally be here. It’s just sinking in really.

“To have it state recognized is really important.”

In total 61 marriage licenses were issued Friday in Madison. The waiting period normally required between the date the license is issued and the marriage date has been waived.

The county clerk’s office is open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday afternoon, after Crabb’s ruling, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen asked a federal judge to issue an emergency order halting gay marriages.