Kansas Women Seek License But Already Feel Married

Two women who are seeking the first same-sex marriage license in the most populous county in Kansas say they already feel married because they’ve been together nine years.

Angela and Jennifer Schaefer, of Gardner, went to the Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe on Wednesday to sign up for a marriage license.

They did so shortly after Johnson County Chief District Judge Kevin Moriarty ordered court clerks to issue licenses to same-sex couples. They were the only couple to do so.

The couple has a 9-month-old son. Angela Schaefer is 31 and Jennifer Schaefer is 28 and took Angela’s last name in 2012.

Angela Schaefer said she believes getting married will ensure that she has full parental rights to their son.