Buncombe County NC Registrar of Deeds first in the South not to say "no" to same-sex couples

The lobby at the Buncombe County building during the event.

In a move which is sure to create havoc in Raleigh, Buncombe County Register of Deeds, Drew Reisinger today accepted applications from same sex couples to be wed. Although he made it clear he could not approve the applications until NC Attorney General Roy Cooper weighed in with an opinion on the discrepancy between state and federal law.

The couples have been coming regularly to Reisinger's office over the past two years as part of the larger 'We Do' campaign sponsored by the Campaign for Southern Equality. Earlier attempts have been turned away by Reisinger and his staff with polite explanations that it was against NC state law for them to accept the application or issue the license to same-sex couples.

Since then, the repeal of the federal law known as the Defense of Marriage Act and other state Attorney Generals granting their citizens the right to marry seem to have swayed the opinion of Cooper. Reisinger will ask for guidance later today.

Alexis and Chelsea leave the office after successfuly completing their application. 

Jake and Mitch speak with Reisinger.

Susan Wilson and Judy sign the marriage application as their families look on.

Rev. Amy Cantrell and Lauren White affirm to the truth of the statements in their application to be wed.