JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. — There will be no more “I do’s” for same-sex couples in Johnson County, Kansas; at least for now. It’s headed to court.
On Friday the Kansas Attorney General asked the Supreme Court to stop Johnson County Kansas from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Kansas Supreme Court decided to grant the request, issuing a temporary stay. Couples can still apply for licenses.
Both sides will get their day in court on November 6.
The ACLU has also filed a lawsuit challenging the ban on same-sex marriage statewide.
FOX 4’s Katie Banks spoke with a couple who applied for their marriage license and had a ceremony. Now they’ll have to wait to see if it’s legal.
On Thursday the couple applied for a marriage license, and exchanged vows on the courthouse steps. They are now calling this latest development disheartening.
Celebratory tiaras and all, Kaci Campbell and Kim Garner still can’t believe it. After nearly eight years together, they applied for a marriage license Thursday and then exchanged vows on the steps of the Johnson County Courthouse.
“I just cried and cried because when I look in her eyes, it’s calm. It’s peace. I’m home. It’s the way it should be when two people get married,” said Campbell.
With a three day waiting period, the couple technically shouldn’t get their marriage license until next week, but that wait just got a lot longer following a Friday petition by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt to block the further issuance of same-sex marriage licenses.
“it’s disheartening for someone else to define my life when they’ve never sat down and had a conversation with me,” said Garner.
And then a few hours later, a move by the state supreme court to grant Schmidt’s request until a hearing in November.
“I don’t understand how someone thinks that someone else is not qualified to say you’re allowed to be happy, you’re allowed to be happy, but not you,” she said.
Still the couple is not giving up hope.
“It doesn’t really matter because I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her and if it’s not legalized, okay I’ll marry her in the future, but I’m going to fight it,” said Garner.
The Johnson County clerk says she’s accepted more than 60 applications; ones that will now be put on hold.
