Same Sex Marriage License 3/26 Cleveland joined the front lines of the debate over same-sex marriage March 26th as 58 gay and lesbian couples walked into the Cuyahoga County Probate Court to apply for marriage licenses. Outside dozens of people occupied the rain-soaked steps of the courthouse at a rally supporting gay marriage and listened to speakers from Cleveland's gay community who challenged the attendees to do everything in their power to defeat the President Bush's attempt to pass the Federal Marriage Amendment. Cheers, applause and the supportive honking of car horns from drivers on Lakeside Avenue punctuated speeches. Inside the marble halls of the courthouse, armed with their photo I.D and roses, Linda Kracienko and her partner of seven years Patti Verde of Westlake paid the $40 non-refundable fee, filled out an application. They were then escorted to the office of Judge John Donnelly and politely told their application for marriage was denied. "We did find out that they would take our money," said Kracienko. Sue Clement and Carol Smith had the same experience. "(Donnelly) said that the legislation wouldn't allow it," said Smith, "so we need to work on changing the legislation." That will be no small feat given that, in February, Ohio became the 38th state to pass a law forbidding the recognition of same-sex marriage. The Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA goes into effect this May. Ed Boyte and Dan Kilbane of Ohio City, who have been together for nearly nine years described the process as "formal and boring" but did emphasize that they were treated courteously by all courthouse staff. However, Boyte admitted that even though they, like all the couples, participated in the exercise to make a public statement, he was still disappointed at the outcome. " I started to feel sad when we got the official denial from the judge." he said. The residents of the Egg Moon Farm Women's Land Collective in Holmes County found a creative way to deal with their disappointment. As the courthouse doors closed at 5:00 p.m., plans were already underway for a "rejection reception" featuring music, punch and a cake topped with two brides. from Cool Cleveland reader M. Bryant

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