Women are first same-sex couple receiving Co. marriage license

By JACK H. SMITH

Staff Writer

It was probably not an uncommon scene as a couple filled out the paperwork for their marriage license at the Sweetwater County Courthouse.

As they patiently went though the stacks of paper, the soon-to-be newlyweds joked, laughed, and seemed to not have a care in the world.

However this day was a little bit different.

As Rosalyn Jennings and Terry Palmer meticulously went through the process, they were about to become the first couple to obtain a same-sex marriage license in Sweetwater County.

Just moments after completing all the necessary forms, the two shared a little bit about their 31 years together. There was laughter, joy and hope as well as stories of times when things were a little difficult for a gay couple in Wyoming.

Now retired from their jobs at Solvay, Jennings was an underground miner, Palmer a secretary; the two were first introduced by their then husbands who worked at the Jim Bridger Power Plant.

Having been together for more than three decades, the two thought they never would see same-sex marriage in Wyoming during their lifetime, even though they said it is the Equality State.

Jennings said they made the decision they were not going to get married in another state and Palmer said they also decided they were not going to move.

They just accepted the way it was.

Then on Oct. 21, things changed and it was now legal for same-sex marriage in Wyoming.

In the interview Tuesday afternoon, the two said in unison that they had been waiting for this moment and Jennings joked they didn't want to be the first to get the license in Sweetwater County.

That changed yesterday and just seconds after signing the last papers, they are both hopeful their decision will open the door for others locally, but only when other couples are ready.

"Everyone has to do their own thing. When they are comfortable, they will do it," Palmer said.

"We know a lot of gay and lesbian couples that are awesome and have been together for a long time," Jennings said.

Jennings said that by making this decision they are not going to hurt anybody and said many couples today only stay married for four or five years.

While their have been some difficulties, such as coming out to their children, Jennings said it has never been a huge issue, and people usually accept it.

"If you shove it down someone's throat, they don't appreciate it," Jennings said.

Jennings said they helped successfully raise four children during their years together.

"We didn't sway them at all," Palmer said with a laugh.

They both did however say there were some difficult times for the children when they would attend activities at schools together.

Palmer said that they didn't hide being together at all and their employer knew about the relationship.

The couple has yet to set a date for their wedding and is currently in the process of finding a minister.