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CHARLOTTE, NC — Just before 6:00 Friday evening, same-sex couples received the right to legally marry in North Carolina.
After three days, the wait was over for Scott Lindsley and Joey Hewell. The couple of 12 years can get married.
“I feel red!” said Hewell. “I can feel the blood rushing to my head at this point!”
The orders of U.S. District Judge of North Carolina, Max Cogburn, Jr. read, “… the court determines that North Carolina’s laws prohibiting same-sex marriage are unconstitutional as a matter of law.”
“Bold face, all caps: ‘Unconstitutional. Mute.’ It’s done,” said Lindsley.
The couple knew it was coming when Monday the Supreme Court decided not to hear cases challenging the decision of North Carolina’s District Court.
That ruling said a state amendment that banned same-sex marriage is discriminatory.
However, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis and State Senate Leader Phil Berger pushed for a new hearing.
“Thom Tillis and Phil Berger did nothing but play political games,” said Equality North Carolina’s Matt Hirschy.
The group was outraged by 5:00 Friday night when the judge was still contemplating the lawmakers’ rebuttal.
“If this would have been continued, it would have been an absolute waste of taxpayer’s dollars,” said Hirschy.
Tillis and Berger wrote in a statement moments after the North Carolina judge sided with higher courts:
“While we recognize the tremendous passion on all sides of this issue, we promised to defend the will of North Carolina voters because they – not judges and not politicians – define marriage as between one man and one woman and placed that in our state constitution. It is disappointing this decision was made without North Carolina’s law receiving its day in court, and we will continue to work to ensure the voice of the voters is heard.”
“There’s definitely feeling like there’s no logical reason this should be denied to us,” said Lindsley.
The couple’s rings were the only physical thing that tied them together over the past decade. Come Monday, they’ll get their license and legal rights that come with it.
“Financially, owning homes together, all that stuff is now in play,” said Hewell.
This weekend, they will begin wedding planning. Monday morning, they plan to be first in line to pick up their marriage license.
