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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming has become the latest state to allow same-sex unions, bringing the wave of change to a state where the 1998 beating death of Matthew Shepard galvanized a national push for gay rights.
Gay couples began to apply for marriage licenses Tuesday, shortly after the state began to recognize same-sex unions.
In Wyoming's largest city, Cheyenne, two couples were licensed as the change went into effect.
About 175 miles north, in Casper, three couples got licenses. Dirk Andrews and Travis Gray said they had considered going out of state to be married, but now plan to marry in Wyoming in a few weeks, so friends and family can attend.
Shepard, a gay college student, was robbed, beaten and left tied to a fence in freezing weather. He died several days after the 1998 attack.
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