1,400 Gay Utahns Rush to Wed

About 700 marriage licenses have been issued to same-sex couples in Utah since Friday, when a federal judge rejected the state’s request against gay marriage. The brides and grooms to-be made a mad dash to county clerks’ offices in a race against the clock fearing an effort by the Beehive State to stay the ruling and close the window that would allow them to wed—an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful. The scene was celebratory and chaotic; a team of volunteer officiants “wandered the halls” marrying couples in front of weeping witnesses while around 1,500 people gathered outside the state capital to celebrate.