Andrew Huck
Published: April 29, 2009

DUBUQUE - On Monday, April 27th Iowa made history by allowing same sex couples to apply for marriage licenses. The state normally requires a three day waiting period but some judges granted waivers allowing couples who received their licenses on Monday to get married that same day.

At the Dubuque County Courthouse Monday six couples applied for licenses in person and four of those couples were granted waivers to get married that same day.

LCTV interviewed the first couple in Dubuque County to get a marriage license.

“We wanted to get married be the first ones in Dubuque to break history,” exclaimed Kentanindra Scarver.

Kentaindra Scarver and Veronica Spann moved from Chicago seven months ago but never believed they would one day be able to get married.

“We were thinking about the many ways faith works and this is one,” said Scarver.

The couple got married on Monday and is planning a big celebration with their family this weekend.

“Our families are very excited my sisters my family knows hers too,” said Scarver.

Representatives from OneIowa were on hand to offer support and give flowers to the couples applying for licenses.

“We’re here to answer questions and direct people where they need to go and celebrate along with them,” said OneIowa Representative Tyler Dague.

Tyler is proud of the impact today will have on his life.

“It makes me hopeful for my future just because I would love to share my life with someone and I would love to have the right to do that when I’m ready, said Dague.

Kentaindra and Veronica are glad to call Iowa home.

“We earned it equal rights, equal opportunity, and I’m just so glad that Iowa has acknowledged that,” said Scarver.

While a few people stopped by to offer their support there was no visible opposition or protests in front of the courthouse.

Here are a few useful links about gay marriage in Iowa and Dubuque County:
Dubuque County Recorder’s Office
OneIowa

Andrew Huck can be contacted at Andrew.Huck@lctv13.com

Andrew Huck
Published: April 27, 2009
DUBUQUE—Today was the first day that same sex couples in Iowa could obtain a marriage license. The Dubuque County Courthouse saw little traffic compared to other counties in the state. At the end of the day six couples applied for marriage licenses in person and seven more submitted their applications through the mail. Four of the six couples who applied in person were granted a waiver by a judge and were able to get married today. The wavier eliminated the three day waiting period.

Molly Menster and Tina Sio became one of the ten that received their marriage license today. Both Menster and Sio were interviewed by LCTV after the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the same sex marriage ban earlier this month. The couple was overjoyed when they were finally able to receive their license and planned to celebrate by going out for ice cream.

Representatives from OneIowa were on hand with flowers and to offer support for all of the couples coming to the courthouse today.

There were no protestors or opposition to gay marriage outside of the courthouse today.

Look for a complete story on From the Boulevard live at 7:00pm Wednesday and online at LCTV13.com.

Andrew Huck can be contacted at Andrew.Huck@lctv13.com

The media surrounds the first same-sex couple to recieve a marriage license in Dubuque.

Morgan Finke
Published: April 27, 2009

DUBUQUE - Monday would be the day that Kentaindra Scarver and Veronica Spann would bring their eight year relationship full circle. The two women arrived at the Dubuque Courthouse early in the morning before appearing in open court to receive a waiver from Judge Monica Ackley around 10 a.m.

“We knew we were partners for life but to legally have it printed on paper; that’s what means so much to us,” said Scarver.
The Iowa Supreme Court ruling on April 3rd of this year paved the way for Kentaindra and Veronica, and hundreds of other same-sex couples across the state to obtain marriage licenses today. The two women were relieved to finally have the legal title of a married couple.

“For me it is the legal things that heterosexuals have like simple visits to the doctor for the kids. Those things mean the world to us,” said Spann.

After the emotional “I do’s” Magistrate John Nemmers said the words Scarver and Spann had waited ten years to hear, “I now pronounce you spouses for life.” As soon as the couple’s young nephew heard those words he exclaimed, “Boo-yah!” A phrase Scarver said she couldn’t of said better herself.

“It was like freedom,” explained Scarver. “Justice is served eight years later.”

The couple became the first same-sex marriage to take place in Dubuque County. After waking up at 4 a.m. the couple ended their day legally married.

The complete story can be read Wednesday evening on LCTV13’s website. To read more about the couple visit our partner publication the Lorian.

Morgan Finke can be reached at morgan.finke@loras.edu