Since the Supreme Court declared Friday that same-sex marriages are legal across the nation, at least two same-sex couples have applied for a marriage license in Bulloch County.

Brenda Knight, deputy probate clerk for Bulloch County, said Tuesday that six couples have applied for marriage licenses since Friday, but since the newly-worded application no longer indicates gender, she could not confirm the genders of all six couples.

However, Knight said “at least two” couples are of the same sex.

The state changed applications when the law made same-sex marriages legal, and “no longer says bride and groom,” she said.

Names of couples seeking to get married don’t always indicate gender, she said, as some names are used for either gender.

Bulloch County Probate Judge Lee Deloach was unavailable for comment Tuesday, as he was out of town, but he has not conducted marriage ceremonies for several months, Knight said.

A pamphlet, available in the Probate Court office, offers a short list of ordained ministers who advertise that they conduct ceremonies outside a church, such as a marriage ceremony at the courthouse, but at least one has said he will not perform same-sex marriages due to religious convictions.

Tony Crosby said he is “uncomfortable” in performing gay weddings.

“I have put my small business (conducting marriage ceremonies) on hold due to my religious beliefs,” he said Tuesday. 

The decision was made before Friday, pending the law’s passing, he said, adding he had not been approached by a same-sex couple seeking his services.

Terry Russell, another minister whose name is on the probate court pamphlet, said he has no problem conducting same-sex marriages.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought, and most likely I will do it,” he said. “In all honesty, I’ve always been for man and woman marriages, but it is legal and I don’t have any objections.”

Russell has not performed any same-sex marriages yet, but said he was approached “a few months ago” by someone seeking a minister willing to do so in case the law passed.

“At the time, I hadn’t made up my mind yet, but if it’s the law of the land, that’s the way I see it,” he said.

Ordained minister Blair Chapman, whose name is also on the probate court pamphlet, said she has not been approached by a same-sex couple seeking marriage, but “I’ll be happy to marry any couple in love, and willing to make that commitment.”

Judith Moore, also listed in the pamphlet, said she would have no problem in performing a marriage between two women or two men.

“No one has asked me, but I guess I would,” she said. “I feel like if they want to obligate themselves to marriage, I don’t care (that they are of the same sex.) I don’t have anything against it. Everybody should be treated as an equal and have the same rights.”

Knight said the names of couples who have applied for a marriage license is not public record until a ceremony has been conducted and the marriage is filed with the county.oll

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.Olli