Deschutes same-sex marriage process goes smoothly

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling to not weigh in on Oregon’s same-sex marriage debate, a check with the Deschutes County Clerk’s office finds the transition going without a hitch.

According to Clerk Nancy Blankenship,, the only difference you’ll find on the marriage application are replacement of the terms “Bride and Groom,” which are now “Party A and Party B.”

Even when trying to figure out how many same-sex couples have applied for a marriage license, it wasn’t very straightforward.

Since May 19 th , 78 couples have applied for a marriage license. Eighteen of those are same-sex, but the only way you can figure that out is by checking the names.

Since the ruling, seven same-sex couples have already married, and five applications were actually filled on the day it became legal to do so.

That was all thanks to a smooth transition.

“We were prepared to receive instruction from state Vital Records, and it took us about 45 minutes from the time the decision was made until we were ready,” Blankenship said.

NewsChannel 21 also called the Jefferson and Crook County clerk’s offices; both reported no same-sex marriage applicants so far.

Meanwhile, the Human Dignity Coalition announced Friday that their 10 th annual Central Oregon Pride will take place on June 28 th in Drake Park. This is the second time the event has been held at the park, but it has grown rapidly over the last few years.

Megan Stackhouse, president of the coalition, told us this will be the biggest one so far.

“Ten years ago, it was a little picnic in the park, there was no press release, no media. It was very quiet, because we weren’t sure how the community reaction would be,” she said. “But now, 10 years later, we are loud, proud and happy to be in downtown Bend, with everybody invited.”

The family event is free to attend and will have musical performances by artists Mosley Wotta and Strive Roots. You can find out more about the HDC and the 10 th Annual Central Oregon Pride at http://www.humandignityco.wordpress.com/