More than 900 gay and lesbian couples
in Utah have exchanged vows in the week since a ruling took effect
declaring the state's ban on gay marriage invalid.
According to The
Salt Lake Tribune, the state collected nearly $40,000 in
marriage license fees from gay couples over the past six days,
shattering Utah marriage records.
The bulk of licenses were issued in
Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties, the paper reported.
Holiday hours and resistance to the
order from some counties failed to slow down the marriage rush.
“It's been really dramatic,” said
Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch. “I would guess on Monday we were
seeing 90 percent same-sex couples. It's dropping back now to where
it's a lower percentage.”
Salt Lake County on Monday issued 353
marriage licenses, breaking the county's previous record of 85
marriages in a single day. Salt Lake began issuing marriage licenses
to same-sex couples almost immediately after the ruling was handed
down. At least four counties waited to hear from an appeals court
before acting.
Several counties, including Sevier and
Daggett, reported issuing zero marriage licenses this week.
(Related: HRC
delights as Utah officials attempt to regain footing in gay marriage
case.)