Outagamie clerk accepts applications for marriage licenses after over 100 refuse to leave

APPLETON (AP) — The county clerk in Appleton is accepting applications for marriage licenses from same-sex couples after nearly 100 people refused to leave her office without completing forms.

Outagamie County Clerk Lori O'Bright initially told couples Monday morning that she would wait for direction from the state before issuing licenses to gay couples.

Kathy Flores was one of those waiting to apply for a license. She says dozens of people gathered at O'Bright's office responded that they weren't leaving until licenses were issued.

A county attorney then told O'Bright to begin accepting applications. But, unlike some other county clerks, O'Bright is not waiving Wisconsin's five-day waiting period unless there are extenuating circumstances.

A federal judge declared Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional Friday but did not order counties to start issuing licenses.