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PHOTOS: Couples Already Marrying in Virginia

The day has finally come for gay and lesbian Virginians who wanted to legally wed.

First-kiss-of-arlington-countys-first-x400

The governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, pressed his state to move quickly after the Supreme Court stuck with lower court rulings that said his state's ban on gay and lesbians is unconstitutional.

The Times-Dispatch reports that Nicole Pries, 42, and Lindsey Oliver, 30, were the first to marry in Richmond, with the governor tweeting his personal "congrats" to the newlyweds. And more couples are marrying across the state.

"This is a historic and long overdue moment for our Commonwealth and our country," he said in a statement ahead of weddings beginning. "On issues ranging from recognizing same-sex marriages to extending health care benefits to same-sex spouses of state employees, Virginia is already well-prepared to implement this historic decision. Going forward we will act quickly to continue to bring all of our policies and practices into compliance so that we can give marriages between same-sex partners the full faith and credit they deserve."

What a marked political change this represents for Virginia, where McAuliffe, a Democrat, recently took over for outgoing Republican governor Bob McDonnell, who had campaigned against marriage equality, and whose attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli, failed in his bid to succeed him. Cuccinelli was known for his antigay positions, including a failed legal challenge that would have reinstated some laws against sodomy.

During his run for governor, McAuliffe favored marriage equality, and today he cheered it becoming law. "Equality for all men and women regardless of their race, color, creed or sexual orientation is intrinsic to the values that make us Virginians," he said, "and now it is officially inscribed in our laws as well."

See photos and video from Virginia today:

NBC12 - Richmond, VA News


456744790_0Erika Turner (R) and Jennifer Melsop (L) of Centreville, Virginia, rejoice as they becomes the first same sex marriage couple in Arlington County as they speak to members of the media outside Arlington County Courthouse October 6, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia.

456740018_0Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring speaks during a news conference in front of the Arlington County courthouse to announce that couples can begin to marry immediately in Arlington, Virginia, October 6, 2014. Same-sex couples will soon be able to wed in up to 30 US states after the Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider -- for now -- a nationwide ruling on the divisive issue. In a surprise move, the court snubbed appeals from Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin where state-level bans on gay marriage had been deemed unconstitutional. Marriages in those five states had been on hold pending the high court's decision on whether to hear the cases.

456740170_0Diane Ullius (L) and Rhonda Buckner (R), who got a same-sex marriage in Toronto, Canada, talk with reporters after Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced that couples can begin to marry immediately in Arlington, Virginia, October 6, 2014, legalizing their marriage. Same-sex couples will soon be able to wed in up to 30 US states after the Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider -- for now -- a nationwide ruling on the divisive issue. In a surprise move, the court snubbed appeals from Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin where state-level bans on gay marriage had been deemed unconstitutional. Marriages in those five states had been on hold pending the high court's decision on whether to hear the cases.

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Susie Doyel works for the Arlington county sheriff's office in Virginia. Today, her marriage is recognized by the state whose laws she helps uphold. #lgbt #gaymarriage #marriageequality #nprlife

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