In the seemingly endless fight to end discrimination and promote marriage equality, a new bright spot has appeared on the horizon.
Yesterday, Alabama became the 37th state in the nation where gay marriage is legally recognized. Cue rampant applause and a couple of fist pumps for good measure.
Unfortunately, the ruling has already met resistance in the form of staunch Republican chief justice Roy Moore, who you might remember from his 2003 ejection from the bench for refusing to remove an enormous Ten Commandments statue from the state courthouse. Nine years later, Alabama citizens elected him back to the high court-after two failed gubernatorial runs- where he now enthusiastically spews his opinions about same-sex marriage, calling it, “an inherent evil” that would lead to the “ultimate destruction” of the nation.
Really nice stuff.
But here at BUST, we say, SCREW THAT DUDE, because today is about celebrating the couples who seized their federally-granted rights to marry the person they love. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the ruling couldn’t come at a more appropriate-and shall we say romantic- time. Check out the following pictures of Alabama’s same-sex marriage ceremonies and soak up all the good feels, because baby, love is in the air.
1. Tori Sisson and Shante Wolfe were the first couple to get legally married in Alabama on Monday.
2. Numerous wedding professionals have volunteered time and donated supplies to couples for the entire week.
3. Kim Cook and Jaime Wrell drove two hours from Walker County to Madison County to get their marriage license.
4. Adrian Thomas and Yashinari Effinger were among the first couples married in Madison County.
5. A judge at the Jefferson County Probate Office asked for a photo after performing his first same-sex marriage ceremony.
6. Greg and Roger kiss amid cheers outside a the courthouse in Birmingham.
7. Donna and Tina continue the marital bliss in Birmingham.
8. Supporters gather outside the Jefferson County Courthouse.
9. Many couples received gifts and flowers after exiting the courthouse on Monday.
10. Britain Cooke and Heather Bowling kiss after receiving their Jefferson County marriage license.
11. Many couples married as a part of the Wedding Week Huntsville celebration for legalizing gay marriage.
12. Eleanor Shue jubilantly raises her marriage license with her new wife, Jessica White, at the Madison County Courthouse.
13. Same-sex marriage supporters hold a protest at the Alabama Sanctity of Marriage rally in the state capitol.
14. Happy couples anxiously await their turn at the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville.
images c/o: usatoday, whnt19 news, reuters
