BAKERSFIELD, CA- Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of when same-sex couples were once again married in Kern County after the Supreme Court dismissed California's Proposition 8 and struck down the Defense of Marriage Act.
"I now pronounce you legally wed, you may kiss your husband."
It was the moment Dustin and Steven Marquez were waiting for for seven years.
"We were actually the first couples to get the license," Dustin Marquez said.
On July 1, 2013, just five days after the Supreme Court's rulings on Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, the Marquezes became the first same-sex couple to be wed in Kern County since 2008.
Forty-three same-sex couples were issued marriage licenses at the Kern County Clerk's Office that day.
"It was a great opportunity to no longer feel like we're classed as second class citizens being able to be recognized throughout the state and throughout the U.S.," Marquez said.
For couples like the Marquezes the ruling was a victory.
"Still there was some resentment I think in parts of the community but overall it was a good thing," said family law attorney Bobby Cloud.
But supporters of Prop 8 and DOMA were disappointed, and concerned the rulings could open the flood gates to more definitions of marriage.
"You could have a domestic partnership and theoretically be married to another person," Cloud said.
But a year later, this happily married couple is still celebrating the decision.
"I can legally say that he is my husband and not have to say domestic partner and prove documents and other information just to be able to be with him," Marquez said.
Since the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages, six states have legalized gay marriage, making it legal in 19 states.
"I now pronounce you legally wed, you may kiss your husband."
It was the moment Dustin and Steven Marquez were waiting for for seven years.
"We were actually the first couples to get the license," Dustin Marquez said.
On July 1, 2013, just five days after the Supreme Court's rulings on Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, the Marquezes became the first same-sex couple to be wed in Kern County since 2008.
Forty-three same-sex couples were issued marriage licenses at the Kern County Clerk's Office that day.
"It was a great opportunity to no longer feel like we're classed as second class citizens being able to be recognized throughout the state and throughout the U.S.," Marquez said.
For couples like the Marquezes the ruling was a victory.
"Still there was some resentment I think in parts of the community but overall it was a good thing," said family law attorney Bobby Cloud.
But supporters of Prop 8 and DOMA were disappointed, and concerned the rulings could open the flood gates to more definitions of marriage.
"You could have a domestic partnership and theoretically be married to another person," Cloud said.
But a year later, this happily married couple is still celebrating the decision.
"I can legally say that he is my husband and not have to say domestic partner and prove documents and other information just to be able to be with him," Marquez said.
Since the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages, six states have legalized gay marriage, making it legal in 19 states.