Same-sex couples get marriage licenses

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Same-sex couples arrived at area courthouses to marriage licenses Tuesday morning.

The clerks of courts in Duval, Baker and Clay counties have pledged to only provide licenses. No one can get married at this time.

Sarah Katz and Stella Lacey were the first same-sex couple in Duval County to receive their marriage license.

Melissa Wilson and Kim Mahaffy are heading to the Duval County Courthouse for a marriage license. They've been together for five years and share six children.

“You don't have to like everything. But there's no reason why we can't deal with it and handle it appropriately in different ways,” said Mahaffy.

They and many other couples plan to tie the knot this weekend at Hemming Plaza. But a group of local pastors protested the same-sex marriages.

Wilson and Mahaffy believe Duval County Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell is making a poor decision by not allowing courthouse ceremonies.

Action News reached out to speak to Fussell about the decision. However, he won't go on record due to the pending the legal action, but said his staff members aren't comfortable doing wedding ceremonies.

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