Nearly 100 same-sex couples marry at Bexar County Courthouse after historic Supreme Court ruling

Video: Gay Couple Gets License And Marry

SAN ANTONIO — Nearly 100 same-sex couples married at the Bexar County Courthouse Friday following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that legalized gay marriage nationwide in a landmark decision.

The Bexar County Clerk's Office began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples less than three hours after the high court's decision. The court — flooded by couples, press and supporters throughout the day — remained open late Friday for marriages. It will reopen Monday at 8 a.m.

Judges Karen Pozza, Laura Salinas and Eugenia Wright performed the wedding ceremonies.

"This is historic, but it shouldn't even have to be," Wright said. "This ought to be business as usual. I've never seen so many happy people in one room."

More than a dozen other counties across the state — including Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Travis and Tarrant — also issued the licenses.

Bernice Reyes smiles at Sara Sharp during their wedding vows at the Bexar County Courthouse in San Antonio, Texas on June 26, 2015. They have been together for three and a half years. Bernice Reyes smiles at Sara Sharp during their wedding vows at the Bexar County Courthouse in San Antonio, Texas on June 26, 2015. They have been together for three and a half years. Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Carolyn Van Houten, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 138 Caption Close Nearly 100 same-sex couples marry at Bexar County Courthouse after historic Supreme Court ruling 1 / 138 Back to Gallery

Jon Truho, 40, and Larry Stern, 52, became the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Bexar County on Friday morning.

"It's nice to have the support of your government and community behind you," Truho said.

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Truho and Stern, wearing matching red shirts in support of marriage equality, were married before Bexar County Court-At-Law Judge Eugenia Wright and a small group of press and officials at approximately 11:45 a.m.

“It’s the only time we’ve matched in 17 years,” Stern joked.

Truho and Stern, who have been together for 17 years, kissed, embraced and exchanged vows and rings before Wright made the marriage official, drawing good-natured laughs from the couple, Wright and bystanders.

"By the power invested in me by the state of Texas, I now pronounce you...married," Wright said.

The couple had been waiting since 8:30 a.m. in the county clerk's office in anticipation of a favorable ruling.

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San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor said she would uphold the rule of law.

"As mayor, I’ve taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and will do so to the best of my ability,” she said. "The city of San Antonio has recognized domestic partnerships for several years and few adjustments should be required within our municipal government to implement the Supreme Court’s decision."

U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia granted a motion lifting a stay on Texas’ ban on gay marriage, clearing the way for same-sex couples to get married at courthouses around the state.

Garcia ruled last year that the ban is unconstitutional, but imposed a stay as other gay marriage cases wound their way to the Supreme Court. He signed the motion after the Texas attorney general’s office said they would not oppose the emergency motion to lift the stay.

“The court has granted our motion and the stay is lifted. Marriage equality has come to Texas,” said Barry Chasnoff, the attorney representing two gay couples who challenged the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

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Robert Salcido, chair of Pride Center San Antonio and field organizer for Equality Texas, said the Supreme Court ruling constituted a big win but said that it is "but one victory for the gay and lesbian community" and that LGBT Texans still face discrimination on many fronts.

"People are often shocked to find out that somebody can get married today at noon, go back to work at 2 o'clock and be fired for being gay," Salcido said. "The fight is not over. We still have a lot of work to be done but this is a victory for us and we need to celebrate it."

Jordan Reed, 69, and Donna Reed, 67, were the second couple to show up at the courthouse Friday seeking a marriage license.

They heard the news on the radio early Friday and drove straight to the courthouse.

They said they've had their $81 — the fee for a license in Bexar County — in an envelope for about a week, awaiting the ruling.

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This comes despite a Thursday plea from Attorney General Ken Paxton that county clerks hold off on issuing the documents until getting clarity and further instruction from his office.

On Friday morning, prior to the Supreme Court ruling, Bexar County Clerk Gerard Rickhoff, a Republican, responded to Paxton's plea.

"The Supreme Court is going to have their opinion written in English, and I comprehend English quite well," he said. "He's got an opinion, I have an opinion, everybody's got an opinion."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott slammed the decision Friday, saying: "Marriage was defined by God. No man can redefine it. We will defend our religious liberties."

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The Travis County Clerk's Office began issuing licenses to same-sex couples at 10:30 a.m.

Cleopatra DeLeon, wife of Nicole Dimetman, Texas gay marriage plaintiffs living in San Antonio applauded the high court's decision.

“I don’t have to hop on a plane and fly to Oklahoma or California to say I’m legally married. When I fill out specific forms at the dentist office or the hospital I can actually check off the box that says married and not feel weird," she said.

“It had been said that marriage provides an umbrella (to the relationship) and the children that come out of the relationship. And I feel like we've had to jump through a lot of extra hoops to maintain that shelter and we don’t have to do that anymore," she said with her voice breaking.

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Marriage license application and information of the required items can be found at the Bexar County Court website.

Staff writers Michelle Casady, Guillermo Contreras and Lauren McCaughy contributed to this report.

mcasady@express-news.net