I decided to drop by the Pinellas County Clerk's office
in St. Pete to check out the first same sex marriage license issuing in St.
Petersburg. It was about 8:30 when I arrived and there was already a crowd
waiting to see the Clerk.
The County Clerk's staff did an excellent job assisting
those who were there seeking their marriage licenses. There were plenty of
staff members on site and a special table set up in the hallway leading to the
clerk's office to pass out forms, information and answer questions.
The demographics of the early morning crowd were
interesting; older, more females than males. Many of the couples indicated they
had been together 8, 10 and over 20 years.
When a reporter asked a couple why they were getting
married, the answer was "this allows us to have the same legal
opportunities as our married heterosexual friends, provides confidence in end
of life issues, health care decisions, financial matters and reinforces our
bonds as a couple."
It was poignant moment with smiles, laughter and more
than a few tears of joy.
Most frequent comment of the morning, "I never
thought I would see this day.
Ken Burke's staff deserves a great big thank you for
providing a warm, friendly and thoughtful environment for those seeking their
marriage licenses. More than once I saw a staff member with a misty eye as they
helped couples complete a part of their life that many thought would never
come.
Here in a photo gallery Same Sex
Marriage Licenses are some of my impressions. I was deeply honored to be
there.
E-mail
Doc at: dr.webb@verizon.net. Or
send me a Facebook (Gene Webb) Friend request. Twitter@DOCONTHEBAY. Please comment
below, and be sure to share on Facebook and Twitter. See Doc's Photo Gallery at
Bay
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