Wyoming officials on Tuesday began
issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.
Clerks began issuing the licenses
shortly after Attorney General Peter Michael filed a notice in U.S.
District Court stating that the state will not appeal a judge's order
striking down the ban.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Scott W.
Skavdahl handed down his ruling, which he temporarily stayed until
Thursday, October 23 or until defendants file notice that they will
not appeal.
Michael said in a statement released
Monday that appealing the ruling would be fruitless.
“[F]urther legal process will result
in delay but not a different result,” he said.
The first gay couple to receive a
marriage license in Natrona County, the state's second-most populous
county, were Dirk Andrews and Travis Gray of Casper (pictured). In
Laramie county, A.J. McDaniel and Jennifer Mumaugh tied the knot
shortly after receiving their marriage license.