First Same-Sex Marriage in Arlington County Takes Place Monday

Arlington County saw its first same-sex marriage Monday when two women from Centreville made it official at about 2:30 p.m., The New York Times and other news outlets reported.

A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, declining to hear appeals allowing same-sex marriage in five states, paved the way for the landmark action.

A same-sex couple in Richmond was reportedly the first to make it official in the Commonwealth, where courthouses began issuing same-sex marriage licenses just after 1 p.m. on Monday.

In Arlington, Rev. Linda Olson Peebles of Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington presided over the marriage of Erika Turner and Jennifer Melsop, both 26 in a gathering in front of the Arlington County Courthouse.

Paul Ferguson, the court clerk in Arlington, told The New York Times that the marriage license forms were changed from “Bride & Groom” to read “Spouse & Spouse.” The application costs $30, he said.

PHOTO: In Arlington, Rev. Linda Olson Peebles of Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington presided over the marriage of Erika Turner and Jennifer Melsop, both 26 in a gathering in front of the Arlington County Courthouse. Photo courtesy of UUCA