Today, with the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, the United States Supreme Court decided same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. This morning, the Boone County Recorder of Deeds Office began to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
This morning, Angie Boyle and Laura Zinszer were the first same-sex couple get a marriage license in Columbia. Zinszer says it was important to them to be able to marry where they live.
“We’ve been partners for 19 years, and five children, and have waited 19 years to be able to get married here in Columbia. We didn’t want to leave and get married somewhere else because this is where we live, and this is our home.”
Though Missouri passed a constitutional ban on gay marriage in 2004, the actual landscape here was complex. Beginning in 2014 the city and county of Saint Louis, and Jackson County, have issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri released a statement today criticizing the decision. “I am disappointed in the Court’s decision to stifle the voices of Missouri’s voters,” Hartzler said. “Decisions on marriage policy should be left in the hands of the 50 states, allowing those who wish to define marriage as being between one man and one woman, as we did in Missouri, to do so.”
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon supported the decision. “No one should be discriminated against because of who they are or who they love,” Gov. Nixon said. “In the coming days, I will be taking all necessary and appropriate actions to ensure this decision is implemented throughout the state of Missouri.”
