Same-sex marriage: It’s the law

DeKalb County was ready to issue same-sex marriage licenses when the U.S. Supreme Court made them legal June 26.

“We were prepared for this,” said Probate Court Judge Jeryl Debra Rosh. “The highest court in the land has ruled on the issue, and it is up to rest of the judiciary to follow the law and accommodate the citizens of each jurisdiction.”

According to Magda Mena, a DeKalb County Probate Court administrator, during a normal 24-hour period approximately 20-30 marriage licenses are issued. On June 26-27, 40 and 27 were issued, respectively.

The Carnes-Millers are a couple who wed at the DeKalb County Courthouse hours after the ruling was announced.

“I’m a history major in college and I don’t think there’s been a historical moment in the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer] movement that hasn’t been documented by thousands of wonderful LGBTQs and I wanted to be a part of that today,” said Cat Breanna Carnes-Miller of Decatur.

“The Supreme Court ruling means that we’re one baby step closer to true equality to all LGBTQ individuals, including trans people, including the [transgender] women of color that are murdered at exponentially higher rates than anyone else,” Cat Breanna Carnes-Miller said. “I think this brings about acceptance, brings about love, and I think we are a step closer to where we need to be.”

The couple had been engaged for a while, a ceremony previously planned for next year “is just going to be a renewal of vows now,” she said.

“I think it’s a really big deal especially that the South has legalized marriage regardless of gender,” said Jordan Forrest Carnes-Miller. “There’s a lot more to be done, especially in regards to [transgender] issues but…we’re one step closer to acceptance of different lifestyles.”

“It’s just an awesome day to celebrate,” Jordan Forrest Carnes-Miller said.

The U. S. Supreme Court announced its 5-4 decision June 26 that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States. As a result of the ruling, Georgia and 13 other states in the South and Midwest can no longer enforce bans on same-sex marriage.

“It is now clear that the challenged laws burden the liberty of same-sex couples, and it must be further acknowledged that they abridge central precepts of equality,” said Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Gov. Nathan Deal said Georgia will follow federal law.

“While I believe that this issue should be decided by the states and by legislatures, not the federal judiciary, I also believe in the rule of law. The state of Georgia is subject to the laws of the United States, and we will follow them,” he said.

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) said the “historic Supreme Court ruling means all Americans–regardless of their gender or gender identity–have the right to marry the person they love.

“It also reaffirms equal protection under the law in accordance with the 14th Amendment,” he said. “We are all more free when all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love.”

Rep. Karla Drenner of Avondale Estates said she is “gratified by the court’s recent ruling and the willingness to place principle over politics.

“The Supreme Court’s acceptance is the step in the right direction for Georgia, but I believe that we still have a lot of work to do in order for the LGBT community to overcome discrimination,” Drenner said.

House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, who represents part of DeKalb County, called the ruling a “groundbreaking victory.”

“I am thrilled that all Americans—regardless of where they live—will no longer be denied the right to marry who they love,” Abrams said. “LGBT individuals will not have to fight for the right to sit next to their partners’ bedside in a hospital, to get family healthcare coverage, or to have their relationships recognized by immigration laws.

“This is progress worth celebrating, and I’m hopeful that we will continue to chip away at barriers for LGBT equality until all discrimination is a thing of the past,” she said.

Rep. Scott Holcomb tweeted, “Love is love,” adding that there are “no reports of same-sex marriages having any impact on existing marriages in Georgia.”

Rosh said the county’s updated marriage license applications are now gender neutral.

Rosh said workers are trying to make more room for marriage license applicants, adding that the court has received a flood of phone calls from people inquiring about same-sex marriage licenses.

DeKalb County Probate Court was open Saturday, June 27, from 8 a.m. to noon, to accommodate an expected increase in marriage license requests.