Iowa's same-sex marriage law in effect

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 27 (UPI) -- A few hundred homosexual couples applied for marriage licenses in Iowa Monday, the day same-sex marriages became legal in the state.

At least 360 same-sex couples, including 26 from other states, had applied for marriage licenses in Iowa, The Des Moines Register reported. The heaviest concentrations in Linn, Polk, Scott and Johnson counties, the newspaper said.

State law requires a three-day waiting period before the license can be used, but judges can waive that provision. Shelley Wolfe, 38, and Melisa Keeton, 31, were the first gay couple in Polk County to marry under the new ruling.

"For us, while I'm only 25 weeks pregnant, already into the third trimester, I've had a lot of medical issues," Keeton said before a 5-minute wedding ceremony on the courthouse steps that included vows, a minister's blessing, the exchange of rings -- and a kiss. "To me it'll be a lot less stressful because we'll have legal rights. Really, today is about making it legal."

The couple, who have a nearly 3-year-old son, had a religious ceremony in 2007, but it carried no legal standing.

Because Iowa's law lacks a residency requirement, out-of-state gay and lesbian couples may join Iowans in seeking marriage licenses, the Register reported. However, gay rights advocacy groups warn most states won't recognize same-sex marriages that take place in Iowa.

"It's one of the first things we told couples," said Rick Garcia, a spokesman for Equality Illinois, a Chicago gay rights group. "It's a great ruling, and we're thrilled for Iowans. You can get married in Iowa ... . But when you get back to Illinois, in the eyes of the law, you are strangers."