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WaPo: Same Sex Couples Lead to Marriage Licenses Doubling in D.C.

So much for Western civilization ending once marriage equality arrived in our nation's capitol. One year after same-sex unions became legal in Washington D.C. and the number of marriage licenses has doubled, reports the Washington Post.

The total number of applications more than doubled since the first same-sex couples lined up to get their licenses, from about 3,100 in the previous year to 6,600 during the past 12 months, said Leah H. Gurowitz, spokeswoman for D.C. Superior Court, which issues the licenses. Although the court does not differentiate between same-sex and heterosexual couples in its record-keeping, in previous years the number of applications varied by only 100 or less. So virtually all the increase is due to same-sex couples, Gurowitz said.

WaPo interviewed two same sex married couples profiled last year on R20. One of the couples is Rocky Galloway (left) and Reggie Stanley—who were among the first couples applying for marriage licenses.

In the year since Rocky Galloway married his longtime love, Reginald Stanley, in the District, the rhythms of their lives haven't changed all that much. They still get up every morning, get their twin 2-year-old daughters prepared for their day, go to work and live their lives the way other happy, committed couples do.

What has changed, however, is knowing that their union is now legal, the same as marriages between men and women have always been, said Galloway, 50, of Chevy Chase, an account manager for an IT firm. "There is something about marriage. It's a distinct institution," he said. "If you say you are married, people get it. If you say you are in a civil union, they say, 'Okay, but what is that?' Being married gives your relationship a different level of validity."

He said they have faced no discrimination or criticism for getting married. "It's been interesting meeting people, like when we're with the kids, and they assume that you are in a heterosexual relationship and you correct them and say 'My partner is male.' They get right through it," he said. "That is to the credit of the advocacy groups and the people of D.C. and the fact that we are very transient and many, many cultures come to live in this area. We're more open and embracing than some."

The Post also interviewedCandy Holmes and wife Darlene Garner, who also applied for licenses on that first day. Holmes is a 33-year federal employee and is fighting to get medical benefits for her wife, which unfortunately is prevented by the Defense of Marriage Act. But that could change in the next few years ...

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Rocky Galloway and Reggie Stanley Get Marriage Licenses
WATCH: 1st Same Sex Couples Apply for DC Licenses
WATCH: Video of First Same-Sex Couples Married in Washington DC
WATCH: DC's First Same Sex Weddings
Lesbian Couple Hopeful to Receive Federal Benefits

WATCH: Video of First Same-Sex Couples Married in Washington DC

In case you missed the earlier live stream, here is video of the first same-sex couples to marry in Washington D.C. this morning. The first couple to tie the knot was Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend, followed by Reginald Stanley and Rocky Galloway and Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and Rev. Lorilyn Candy Holmes.

Also, in case you didn't see it earlier, the Washington Post profiles how Angelisa and Sinjoyla met and fell in love at the University of the District of Columbia:

"Young felt the attraction first. Throughout the semester, she found excuses to pass Townsend fliers for the political activist group that she belonged to on campus; she was devastated when she later found those fliers left behind after class. She would go to watch Townsend shoot hoops, even though she hates sports. 'She would be reading books at the game,' Townsend teases. Young would come into the gymnasium in her girlie high-heeled boots, in clothes completely ridiculous for a basketball court. Young protests: 'I was trying!'"

There is a shorter video of the first wedding and a longer video, via HRC Backstory, of the first three weddings. Watch the happy couples WHEN YOU JUMP ...

WATCH IT LIVE: Washington DC's First Same Sex Weddings

This morning is the first day same-sex couples can legally wed in our nation's capitol. The Human Rights Campaign is offering  a live video stream of the first three same-sex weddings to take place in

The first couple is Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend (above), followed by Reginald Stanley and Rocky Galloway, Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and Rev. Lorilyn Candy Holmes. You may recall the latter couple, both ordained ministers, who were profiled last June when President Obama extended limited federal benefits to spouses of gay and lesbian federal employees.

The Washington Post also profiles Angelisa and Sinjoyla and shares the story of how they fell in love.

Watch the weddings AFTER THE JUMP...

WATCH: Rocky Galloway and Reggie Stanley Get Marriage Licenses

There's very emotional video shot by DC Agenda that features several black gay and lesbian couples getting married in Washington DC. Rocky Galloway (left) and Reggie Stanley—who are profiled at Freedom to Marry—were among the first of about 100 couples applying for marriage licenses. Galloway says, "We're the parents of two daughters. And they'll grow up in a household where their parents are married, like any other household in the District of Columbia."

Stanley adds: "We're proud of the institution [of marriage] and what it means to each other and to our community."

There is also a short interview with Darlene Garner an Candy Holmes, the black lesbian couple, both ordained ministers, who were profiled last June when President Obama extended limited federal benefits to spouses of gay and lesbian federal employees.

All the couples are so overjoyed they are tearing. Good luck and congratulations to them all. Watch the video WHEN YOU JUMP ...

WaPo Profiles Black Lesbian Couple Hopeful to Receive Federal Benefits

Steve Vogel at the Washington Post profiles several federal employees who are hopeful the limited federal benefits extension, signed yesterday by President Barack Obama, will lead to health benefits for their partners. Candy Holmes (left), is 33-year federal employee and information technology manager at the GAO. Holmes and partner Darlene Garner are both ordained clergy with the Metropolitan Community Church

[Holmes'] partner, a clergywoman with limited health insurance, is not covered by the health or retirement benefits that Holmes receives from the federal government. "I've been without benefits for my partner the entire time," said Holmes, an information technology manager at the GAO. "Thank God we have not had any major illness. If we had, I'm not sure how we could manage." 

Obama's order has cheered Holmes and left her optimistic that more change is coming. "Hopeful. Excited," she said of her mood yesterday. "Wanting to believe this is the beginning of equality."

Holmes and her partner, Darlene Garner, are both ordained clergy with the Metropolitan Community Church. "I was thinking about it last night," said Holmes, a native Washingtonian who lives with Garner in Laurel. "We are African American, a lesbian couple, and we are religious. Having gone through the civil rights movement, I'm glad for this step being made." 

It's always nice to put a human face to an otherwise wonkish and theoretical policy debate. In this case, it's even better this was a black lesbian couple who happen to be ordained clergy—it pushes back on the ridiculous notion there are not black LGBTs and re-frames the policy decision as social justice.