Same-sex couples line up for marriage licenses

Leeann Centeno, left, and Sharon Buskirk pose with their marriage license on Wednesday in City Hall. Credit: Sam Newhouse/Metro

About two dozen same-sex couples descended on City Hall for marriage licenses on the second day of legal same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania.

“Open arms and a welcoming attitude,” was how Linda Centeno, 33, described the City Hall marriage license office, after she got licensed to marry partner Sharon Buskirk, 32.

“We have been fighting for equality for so long. Just to have it here in our lifetimes is so amazing,” Centeno said.

Paul Richards, 25, and Dennie Zastrow, 26, said they weren’t expecting the change in the law and rushed to get a license before the judge’s decision could be appealed.

“We were caught by surprise,” Zastrow said of the decision Tuesday. “But we knew that we wanted to do this for a while. It was very important to us that we have a Pennsylvania marriage license.”

Now they face the daunting task of planning a wedding, but the couple isn’t worried.

“Our relationship is constant. But when we do have a party, it’s going to be a blow-out,” Richards said.

Paul Hartshorn, left, and Jason Koehler pose with their new marriage license in City Hall on Wednesday, May 21. Credit: Sam Newhouse/Metro

For Jason Koehler, 42, and Paul Hartshorn, 39, getting a license means they can try to get married in time for their seventh anniversary this summer.

“A lot of our friends chased a marriage license to different states,” Koehler said. “We were holding out for Pennsylvania. I think it was worth the wait.”