Washington Legalizes Gay Marriage

On March 3, 2010 same-sex couples are now allowed to file for marriage in the nation's capital. This is a huge milestone for gay couples because they finally have equal rights just like other citizens. Washington, D.C is now the sixth place to allow same-sex marriages in the United States. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also support and issue licenses to same-sex couples.

“This is a dream come true,” said Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, as she smiled ear to ear standing with her partner of 12 years, Angelisa Young, 47. “We wanted it so bad.” They were the first of many couples waiting in line to file for marriage. On a typical day the office processes 10 licenses and by the end of Wednesday more than 140 couples had filed to be married, the mayor’s office said.

Many same-couples are so appreciative that now they can receive the many benefits that other couples take for granted. Cuc Vu, tells the New York Times that “I became a naturalized U.S. citizen in the mid-’90s, but this is really the first time that I feel like I have the full rights and benefits of citizenship.” Many couples now believe that are an now a U.S citizen because they are entitled to the benefits of other couples.

Wednesday was a new beginning for these couples and hope to legalize same-sex marriages across the country.