First Same Sex Marriage license, 2012

First Same-sex Marriage License

One of the Maryland ballot questions in the November 6, 2012 General Election was the Civil Marriage Protection Act. This act, which provides for same-sex marriage, was approved state-wide by a margin of 52.4% (1,373,504 voters) to 47.6% (1,246,045 voters). In Allegany County, 65.5%, or 18,927 voters, voted "no", while 9,965 people, or 34.5%, voted for the question.

Although the law does not take effect until January 1, 2013, couples were allowed to apply for marriage licenses beginning on Thursday, December 6, 2012, the day the results of the ballot referendum were officially confirmed. As depicted in the above photograph from the Cumberland Times-News, December 7, 2012, Heather Ware and Tiffany DeVore of Short Gap, West Virginia were the first two in line to receive a marriage license at the Allegany County, Maryland Courthouse from Dawne D. Lindsey, Clerk of the Court. Heather Ware was quoted in the newspaper article as saying, "This is more exciting than Christmas. It's kind of like Black Friday shopping. We want to be the first." An October 26, 2013 wedding date has been planned.

Also depicted is a photograph of Ware and DeVore from the Cumberland "Setusfree Rally" held on July 21, 2012 at Canal Place in Cumberland. Organized by Ware, the rally was undertaken to show support for marriage equality and the upcoming ballot question. "Love + Commitment" adds up to marriage is the message of the sign being held by DeVore.