The registrar in Asheville, North Carolina was not able to sign the license because of the state’s ban on marriage equality, but Buncombe County, in light of this summer’s Supreme Court rulings, has decided that the ball is in their court and that it’s time to act:
Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger this morning became the first government official in North Carolina to seek approval for granting same-sex marriage licenses, though the state Attorney General Roy Cooper has already indicated the licenses will not be granted.
With a crowd of about 100 in the deeds office lobby cheering them on, same-sex couples filled out paperwork for marriage licenses beginning about 8 this morning.
Brenda Clark and Carol McCrory, of Fairview, were first in line.
“We are hopeful that Attorney General Cooper will do the right thing and recognize our right to marry after 25 years in a committed relationship,” Clark said.
Reisinger said he will accept and hold same-sex marriage applications and push the question of equal marriage rights to Cooper, the state’s chief legal adviser, Reisinger said in a statement Monday night.
“I will let each couple know that it is my hope to grant them a license, but I need to seek the North Carolina Attorney General’s approval,” Reisinger said. “I have concerns about whether we are violating people’s civil rights based on this summer’s Supreme Court decision.”
“Y’all just sign right here,” said Buncombe Country registar of deeds Drew Reisinger, who is to be commended for taking this stand.
North Carolina’s attorney general personally supports marriage equality, but has said he will defend the ban as part of his duties.
