John Lennon once wisely crooned that, “all you need is love.” And many would agree. Why not? It’s easy!
Love can do incredible things. It can make a crappy Christmas present seem like the most precious gift in the world. It can make a puppy howl along to its favorite “Frozen” song. It can make gay giraffes intertwine their necks like they’re attempting to create an adorable Twizzler of LGBT love.
But, as natural as homosexuality is among animals, many humans believe that it’s abnormal, which is why same-sex marriage is not yet a federal—or global—right.
Yet, some lucky Americans are fortunate enough to live in states where same-sex marriage is legal. But this right wasn’t earned without a fight—one fueled by inequality, passion, and most importantly, love.
It’s love that same-sex couples celebrate when they dash to their state’s city halls to get married on momentous, historic days when they finally earn a fundamental right. And we have 36 photos of this blissful, triumphant, and honest love.
Scroll through our gallery that features some of the first LGBT folks to tie the knot in each state the day it became legal. And make sure to SHARE this with anyone you love, love. Love is all you need.
1. Alaska
Cateflyn Schnell, left, and Terry Holloway of Anchorage were the first same-sex couple to wed in Alaska on Monday, Oct. 13, 2014.
2. Arizona
Adorable couple, Nelda Majors, 76 (left), and Karen Bailey, 75, of Scottsdale are one of the first two couples to receive marriage licenses minutes after gay marriage was legalized in Arizona on Oct. 17, 2014.
3. California Before Prop 8
After a 52-year relationship, Del Martin (left), and Phyllis Lyon were the first same-sex couple to be married in San Francisco the first time in Feb. 12, 2004.
4. California After Prop 8 Was Overturned
Sandy Stier (left), and Kris Perry, tied the knot in front of California Attorney General at City Hall in San Francisco. The women were the lead plaintiffs in the U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned California's same-sex marriage ban. They exchanged vows an hour after a federal appeals court freed same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses.
5. Colorado
Vicky Pierce (left), and Nikki Holmlund were the first same-sex couple to get hitched in Denver after gay marriage became legal in Colorado on Oct. 7, 2014. Their 5-year-old daughter, Audrey, is happy that her mommies are now married.
6. Connecticut
Robin Levine-Ritterman (left) enthusiastically waves her marriage license as her wife, Barbara, stands by her side in front of New Haven City Hall. The couple obtained the first marriage license issued to a same-sex couple in Connecticut on Nov. 12, 2008.
7. Delaware
Delaware State Sen. Karen Peterson (left), and her spouse Vikki Bandy look lovingly at one another at a rally they attended after their ceremony on July 1, 2013. The two were the first couple to legally tie the knot under the state's new gay marriage law.
8. Hawaii
Isajah Morales (left), kisses her freshly minted wife, Saralyn Morales, during a wedding ceremony at the Sheraton Waikiki, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 in Honolulu. They were part of a massive group wedding held the day Hawaii became the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage.
9. Idaho
Rachael (left), and Amber Beierle exchange wedding vows Wednesday, October 15, at City Hall in Boise, Idaho.
10. Illinois
Vernita Gray (left), and Patricia Ewert were married in Illinois’ first legal same-sex wedding. The two well-known and longtime Chicago gay-rights activists exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony in their living room.
11. Indiana
Jake Miller (left), and Craig Bowen became legal hubbies on Oct. 6, 2014.
12. Iowa
The first to couple to snag a marriage license, Shelley Wolfe (left), and Melisa Keeton, held hands as they were also pronounced the first married gay couple in Iowa.
13. Maine
Steven Bridges receives a wedding ring from Michael Snell on Dec. 29, 2012.
14. Maryland
Shehan Welihinda (left), and Ryan Wilson are filled with joy after participating in a marriage ceremony at City Hall in Baltimore, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.
15. Massachusetts
Ten years ago on May 17, 2004, Marcia Hams (left), and Susan Shepherd made history in Massachusetts by being the first gay couple to marry in any U.S. state.
16. Minnesota
Margaret and Cathy were the first same-sex couple married in the state of Minnesota at midnight on Aug. 1, 2013. Their son Louie was very involved in their ceremony.
17. Montana
After some very recent drama in Montana, a ban on same-sex marriage was overturned, allowing Ben Bahnsen (left), to slip a wedding ring on husband, Patrick Donnelly’s hand on Nov. 20, 2014.
18. Nevada
Nevada has seen its fair share of recent LGBTQ marriage turmoil as well. In fact, Karen Goody (left), and Karen Vibe were one of eight gay couples that filed lawsuits that led to the overturning of the state’s same-sex marriage ban. The couple celebrated their victory by being the first to wed on Oct. 9, 2014.
19. New Jersey
Beth Asaro (left), and Joanne Schailey exchange vows during one of the first same-sex marriage in the state at 12:01 am Monday, Oct. 21, 2013.
20. New Mexico
Santa Fe County Commissioner Liz Stefanics (left), and her partner of 22 years, Linda Siegle, were the first to receive their marriage license from the Santa Fe county clerk in New Mexico— ¡qué bueno!
21. New Hampshire
Greg Gould (left), and Aurelio Tiné, weren’t the first gay couple to wed in New Hampshire, but they were the first to point out a lack of news coverage for gay weddings in their state. When the Union Leader, refused to publish their marriage announcement, the couple made a stink—though their wedding smelled nothing but roses.
22. New York
Connie Kopelov (seated), 84, and Phyllis Siegel, 77, were the first gay couple to marry in Manhattan City Clerk's Office on the day New York finally recognized their 23-year relationship.
23. North Carolina
Chad Briggs (left), and Chris Creech kiss after exchanging wedding vows in Raleigh, N.C., on Oct. 10, 2014. They were among the first gay couple to be married in the state.
24. Oklahoma
Sharon Baldwin (left) and Mary Bishop applied for a marriage license on Oct. 6, 2014 at the Tulsa County Courthouse, the day same-sex marriage became legal in the Sooner State.
25. Oregon
Deana Geiger and Janine Nelson smooch after exchanging vows in Oregon’s Multnomah County's first gay marriage.
26. Pennsylvania
William Roletter (left), and Paul Rowe, nuzzle one another with their newly-acquired marriage certificate, on May 21, 2014 in Philadelphia.
27. South Carolina
Kayla Bennett (left), and Kristin Anderson exchanged vows that looked as sweet as sugary ice tea during the first same-sex wedding ceremony in South Carolina on Nov. 19, 2014.
28. Utah
Seth Anderson (left), and Michael Ferguson, show-off their marriage certificate and license outside of the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office in Utah, Dec. 20, 2013.
29. Rhode Island
Frank Ferri tearfully strokes the cheek of his husband, Tony Caparco at their ceremony on Aug. 1, 2013.
30. Vermont
One of the first to wed in Vermont, Bill Slimback (left), and Bob Sullivan, exchange rings during their wedding ceremony at the cozy Moose Meadow Lodge.
31. Virginia
Jennifer Melsop, 26, (left), and Erika Turner, 26, from Centreville, Va., kiss after they were officially pronounced married on Oct. 6, 2014.
32. Washington
Terry Gilbert (left), kisses his husband, Paul Beppler, after getting married at Seattle City Hall, becoming among the first gay couples to legally wed in Washington state.
33. Washington DC
Sinjoyla Townsend (left), and Angelisa Young react after being pronounced wife and wife, on Mar. 3, 2010, the first day that gay marriage was legal in Washington, DC.
34. West Virgina
Chris Bostic (left), and David Epp were the fist gay couple to get married in Kanawha County in West Virginia.
35. Wisconsin
Jose Fernando Gutierrez (left) and Matthew Schreck, became one of the first wedded LGBTQ couples in Wisconsin. They commemorated the experience by donnin’ snappy matchin’ blue shirts, donchaknow?
36. Wyoming
Teresa Bingham (left), and Linda Mahaffey were the first couple to apply for a marriage license in Laramie, Wyoming, a town that’s seen it’s fair share of anti-gay brutality. Call this an extremely happy ending to a tragic history.
Make sure to SHARE this with anyone who truly believes in the power of love.
