Australian
Registry Accepts Marriage License Application From
Lesbian Couple

The Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages agreed to accept a marriage application from a lesbian couple in Brisbane, Australia, on Thursday. Sharon Dane and Elaine Crump, who both hold dual citizenship in Australia and the United Kingdom, went to the registry office on Valentine's Day and refused to leave unless their application was accepted, according to Australian Marriage Equality.

Administrators initially said that Australia's Marriage Act prevented them from accepting the document, but they eventually accepted the application.

A Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged with the Registry at least one month and one day prior to the date you wish to marry. The document is then valid for 18 months from the date of registry.

''We were prepared for a stony reception but were quite pleasantly surprised," Crump said in a statement. "The staff appeared extremely empathetic that they couldn't treat us like other couples who had turned up to the Registry on Valentine's Day.''

Registry development officer Colin Wood said that if the Marriage Act were overturned the form would be valid. The couple would not be required to file a new form. (The Advocate)