Same-sex couple requests marriage license in Fairfield

Since the state?s Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriages took effect Monday, the Jefferson County Recorder?s Office has received one marriage license request from a same-sex couple.

The request was made Monday afternoon by a lesbian couple. Under Iowa law, today is the first day licenses issued Monday become valid without a judge?s waiver.

Although only one request had been made in Jefferson County, county recorder Charlotte Fleig said her office has fielded a few calls from people seeking more information. Fleig said one caller was from out of state, but she believes the person has a local connection.

While protests were staged at some recorders? offices, Fleig said no one has been protesting at her office.

She has, however, received roughly 41 petition sheets with around 221 names from people calling on her to refuse to issue licenses until the discrepancy between the April 3 Iowa Supreme Court ruling and the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act is resolved by a public vote.

?I can?t refuse or I?m subject to ousting from office,? Fleig said.

For the complete article, see the Thursday, April 30, 2009, Fairfield Ledger.