Almost immediately after opening its doors the morning after Florida’s gay marriage ban was lifted, the Lee County clerk’s office began handing out its first same sex marriage licenses Tuesday.
The first same sex couple to get a marriage license in Lee County was Christian Montgomery and Derek Daniels from Fort Myers. They’re both in their twenties and had been dating for about four years. They said it’s really exciting to be a part of history.
“It’s really overwhelming actually,” Montgomery said. “We just woke up and we were like, ‘we just want to beat the line’ and ended up being first. So, it was kind of a win-win.”
Montgomery and Daniels got to the administrative office at 4:30 a.m. to pick up their license. They said their ceremony, however, will be on Sunday at All Faiths Unitarian Church as part of an afternoon of same sex ceremonies.
But, some couples did everything the same day. Chance Chadwick and Daniel Perono, who have already been together for 25 years, were the first gay couple to officially be married in Lee County.
In true Florida fashion, they stopped by the courthouse before a trip on their boat. They wore shorts, with sunglasses around their necks, as a county clerk officiated their marriage.
Arlene Goldberg of Fort Myers was a plaintiff in the case that brought down the state’s gay marriage ban. She lost her wife and partner of 47 years, Carol Goldwasser, last year. Goldberg handed out roses to the newly married couples.
“I feel really proud that I was part of that lawsuit and that in some small way made a difference to our community,” she said.
About nine couples waited in line before the Lee County clerk’s office opened.
Hal McFarland and Ross Griffith of North Fort Myers have been together for more than 30 years. They said they didn’t think that getting married would be such a big deal. That is, until they realized they could now.
“It really didn’t register,” Macfarland said. “Okay this is another thing you have to do—but we got our rings yesterday and tried on my ring and I looked out and saw a gold wedding band and thought ‘wow, this is happening.’ All of a sudden the excitement started coming.”
“I’ve been telling all the restaurant servers who know us,” Griffith said. “Businesses that we have known for a long time. They are all happy for us.”
Many of the couples waiting in line had also been together for years—and some even decades-- before getting married.
Garry Houston and Daniel Maltbie were among those that had been together for a few decades. Houston said he’s surprised this was even happening.
“I didn’t think this would ever happen in my lifetime,” Houston said. “I’m 61 years old soon to be 62 and I’ve been with him over half of my life.”
Maltbie said he wanted to be sure to get married as soon as possible. Partly because he wanted to be a part of this historical moment. But mostly, he said it’s because getting married is an added protection.
Maltbie said he wants the same rights as everyone else so that he and Houston can take care of each other as they get older.
“You never know what roadblocks might be put up ahead,” Maltbie said. “So it’s best to just get it while the getting’s good.”
Some couples got married the same day at the clerk’s office. Others just picked up their licenses and planned to have a ceremony with friends and family at a later date.
