Same-Sex Couples In Rhode Island Can Get Married Today

    This morning local officials began to issue the first marriage licenses to same-sex couples. ‘‘A day of smooching’’ for Rhode Island.

    Sarah Karlan
    by Sarah Karlan

    BuzzFeed News Reporter

    At the stroke of midnight on Thursday, Rhode Island and Minnesota became the 12th and 13th U.S. states to allow same-sex marriage.

    Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters

    Rhode Island is the last New England state to allow same-sex marriage.

    Charles Krupa / AP

    Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the marriage equality bill into law on May 2, 2013.

    Charles Krupa / AP

    Officials in Rhode Island began issuing licenses when offices opened at 8:30 a.m. this morning.

    STEVEN SENNE / AP

    Among the first to arrive for licenses were John Gacher and Federico Santi of Newport , R.I.. They have been together for over 41 years.

    Steven Senne / AP

    The couple had a simple ceremony, as they told the AP, "After living together for 41 years, we don't have anything to prove . It's like going down and getting a driver's license."