Colorado same

Posted: 07/10/2014 06:11:10 PM MDT

Updated: 07/10/2014 06:19:18 PM MDT

On the afternoon Denver started offering marriage licenses to same-sex couples, the mood of those out to gain one fluctuated between feelings of celebration, relief and uneasiness.

For while the day seemed historic, those who lined up face an uncertain future: Recorder Debra Johnson's decision to offer the licenses will almost certainly be challenged as the legal drama surrounding the gay marriage question continues to play out in courts.

To these couples, however, the licenses were valid. Some dressed up for the occasion. Many were overwhelmed by emotion.

But not Michael Coe and Todd Moses, who have been together for 18 years.

'It seems like more of a formality than anything else,' Coe, 43, said. 'We've been together so long.'

The couple has never had a commitment ceremony, and they don't plan on making a fuss over a marriage license.

'In the end, a piece of paper doesn't make a relationship,' said Moses, 42.

There's other power in a piece of paper, though, the couple agreed.

'I'm not particularly close to my family,' Coe said, 'and the fact that they would have a greater ability to make decisions affecting my life than the person who is my true family is kind of what this means to us.'

PHOTOS: Same-sex marriage licenses being issued in Denver, Colorado

Although there are plenty of legal hurdles ahead before same-sex marriage licenses have certain validity in Colorado, it says something that Denver - 'where our home is' - is doling out licenses, symbolic or not, Coe said.

'It's not invalid to us,' he said.

It's a sentiment shared by Samantha Getman, 33, and Victoria Quintana, 23, the first couple to get a license Thursday in Denver.

'Whether they say it's invalid or not, we're married,' Getman said.

Even though the couple already considers themselves married, they're holding a wedding ceremony late next month.

'We have it all planned: a ceremony, cocktail hour, reception,' said Quintana.

'DJ, flowers, limos,' Getman added.

Other couples have less extravagant celebration plans.

The Simons, for example, have been down this road before. They had a 'religious wedding' in 2005, and they were one of the first Colorado same-sex couples to enter a civil union last year. The concept of marriage is nothing new between them.

'Everybody wants us to have a big party or something,' said Fran Simon, 45, but they have other ideas: 'catch up on work and laundry, maybe have a glass of champagne.'

Anna Simon, 44, said that getting a marriage license is simply a practical step.

'It feels like a final step,' said Anna Simon. 'I couldn't be any more in love or devoted to Fran than I ever was, but now I have the legal tools to take care of her.'

Abbey Bickford, 30, and Monique Botjer, 36, who plans on taking Bickford's last name, are just now about to arrive at the altar: Their wedding is next Friday. But they couldn't handle the wait once they heard Boulder and Denver were handing out marriage licenses.

'We're tired of waiting,' said Bickford, who lives in Morrison. 'We were getting ready to drive to Boulder, actually, and I got the alert on my phone.'

It's time for 'colorful Colorado' to be a 'rainbow-friendly' state, Bickford said, and she and Botjer aren't phased by threats of 'invalidity.'

'It doesn't matter how many times it takes until it's legal,' said Bickford, through tears. 'I'll marry her 500 more times.'

Rex Santus: 303-954-1666, rsantus@denverpost.com or http://ift.tt/TW0CHy



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