The courthouses in Milwaukee and Dane County were open again today to enable people to get married since Federal Judge Crabb struck down Wisconsin's ban on marriage equality. It's joyous.
In Milwaukee, nearly 70 couples were married late yesterday and another 80 today.
It's not only the clerks offices that are open, but offices that issue birth certificates and decrees of divorce, documents often needed for a marriage license. And, yes, judges showed up, too, to perform the ceremonies.
Many of the same-sex couples who showed up at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to get married were acting with such spontaneous joy that they didn't have time to pull together family or friends to stand up in the weddings.
Bystanders, including members of the press, have served as witnesses.
The joy is exploding within the normally somber courthouse.
"We didn't think it would happen, but it's about time," Juan said after the vows and rings were exchanged amid tears of joy.
"Instead of going to breakfast, we said let's go get married!" Rodolfo said with a laugh.
It's been
the same in Dane County.
Traditional marriage has survived, too.
I'm happy to report that not a single traditional man-woman marriage was harmed in the process. Judge Donald has been married 28 years, and I for 33 years, and these unions are not shaking today, as opponents of same-sex marriage might expect. A few protesters showed up, including one carrying a sign that spelled vile as vial.
The weather has been fine so
marriages have spilled out onto the lawn, as well.
But that doesn't mean that everyone is happy:
An emergency action by the state attempted to halt the scores of weddings that began Friday evening in Milwaukee and Madison. As of 12:30 p.m. Saturday, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb had taken no action on it.
Yeah, dude, you're too late. It's happening.
Just knowing that there's a bit more equality in FitzWalkerKochStan makes me smile.
Congrats and Mozel Tov (did I get that right?) to all.