Gay couples finally get married in Rowan County, months after Supreme Court ruling

Same-sex couples are finally able to get married in Rowan County, Ky., more than two months after this summer’s historic Supreme Court ruling.

At least two couples have successfully obtained marriage licenses from the Rowan County Courthouse Friday morning after months of being refused, the Associated Press reports.

William Smith Jr. and James Yates were the first Rowan County couple to get a marriage license. The couple of almost 10 years told The Lexington Herald-Leader that they are “overwhelmed.”

Timothy and Michael Long were the second couple to leave the courthouse with marriage license in hand, according to the AP.

Crowds of protesters, and reporters, awaited the couples as they entered and exited the building. Some celebrated with chants of “Love has won.” Another group gathered in support for Kim Davis, the county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples as she claimed it would violate her religious beliefs.

Davis has been jailed for contempt of court after failing to fulfill her duties as an elected public official. A federal judge told the AP that she will remain there for at least a week as her deputy clerks resume issuing marriage licenses in the county.

Rowan County local David Moore told Fusion that he and his partner, David Ermold, will go to the courthouse Friday afternoon to get their long-awaited marriage license. Like Smith and Yates, Moore said that he is “overwhelmed right now.”