OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The first gay marriages in central Florida will take place at the Osceola County Courthouse when the clocks strikes midnight.
A stay expires at midnight in a federal judge's ruling striking down Florida's gay marriage ban enacted in 2008 by voters.
Clerk of Court Armando Ramirez is ready to issue the same-sex marriage licenses and has opened the courthouse for the midnight ceremonies.
"We are ready, willing and able, with my staff, to provide a service to the people," said Ramirez.
Several couples began arriving at the courthouse around 10 p.m. on Monday.
"Did you ever expect this day to happen?" asked reporter Ryan Hughes.
"No, not in Florida. I really didn't. I thought we'd have to go somewhere else," said Tracy Golly.
Ramirez and several other Florida clerks will officiate same-sex wedding ceremonies after midnight. It's a first for Ramirez, who has been in office for two years.
"I have never performed an equal marriage ceremony, never," said Ramirez.
Channel 9 learned that 33 same-sex couples applied to get marriage licenses in Osceola County. Each couple had to fill out the appropriate paperwork and complete a marriage test online.
Newly-elected Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb will be one of the first to wed her longtime partner at midnight.
Earlier Monday, Miami-Dade County became the first county in Florida to issue a same-sex marriage license.
The doors to the Osceola County Courthouse will open at 11 p.m. Eyewitness News found out that a local businessman paid for security and staff during the overnight hours.
WFTV
