Gays Line Up to Marry in Montana

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Gay couples are lining up for marriage licenses at county courthouses across Montana on Thursday, a day after a federal judge tossed out the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

At least two counties — Missoula and Park — started issuing marriage licenses to gay couples Wednesday, while court clerks elsewhere geared up to do so Thursday.

Randi Paul and Jill Houk of Billings got to the Yellowstone County Courthouse by 7 a.m. MST Thursday, an hour before it opened.

Paul says the couple had been considering getting married in another state and are relieved they can now do so in her home state.

She says they planned to get married as soon as they got their license and then would go back to work.