PANAMA CITY — The scene was not particularly romantic.
Mona Brannon and Siemone Johnson were directed to a computer terminal in the corner of the records office where they filled out one form. Johnson passed her driver’s license to her soon-to-be wife to complete a different hard copy form. They then went up to a booth and completed yet another form before they received their marriage license.
“It may not be romantic, but it is new,” Johnson said. “I had to look up some of the specifics.”
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--- SAME-SEX COUPLES MARRIED ACROSS THE STATE»»
Brannon and Johnson were the first couple inside the Bay County Courthouse for a marriage license Tuesday. Brannon had the advantage of being a Bay County employee, working in the county probation office in the annex building. Brannon and Johnson were already inside as four couples waited in the 45-degree chill.
“I’m nervous,” Johnson said. “I thought this day would never come.”
Brannon and Johnson met 10 years prior, working for Beverly Enterprises in Fort Smith, Ark. After a stop in Colorado, with Johnson working in corrections, they both chose to move to Bay County in 2006. They decided to have the wedding ceremony Jan. 10, and Brannon will take Johnson’s name.
The date has bittersweet significance because it was the day Johnson’s mother died two years ago. Her mom was extremely supportive of her relationship with Brannon. One instance stands out when the elder Johnson called to wish Brannon a happy birthday but decided not to talk to her daughter.
“It’s not her birthday, is it?” Johnson recalls her saying. “Nobody meets (Brannon) and doesn’t like her.”
On their way into the office, the couple received congratulations from Brannon’s co-workers; Johnson said her co-workers at a local correctional institute were equally supportive.
Kristen and Rhonda Apperson were the second couple that rushed in when the courthouse opened. Kristen Apperson said they wanted to get there early in case of a large turnout. Together for 13 years, they originally met in Alabama.
“I don’t think we slept,” Rhonda Apperson said of the reason for their early morning arrival.
Bay County Chief Deputy Clerk Jody Walls said the actual early morning turnout was exactly what the office could handle.
“It looks like we’ll be ready for the demand,” Clerk of Court Bill Kinsaul said.
The Appersons were joined by Lola Bloomquist and Cynthia Havel-Bloomquist in front of the north-facing courthouse steps. Both couples had notaries public perform ceremonies at the courthouse — Tina Ray for Bloomquist and Havel-Bloomquist, who have been together 14 years, originally meeting through friends. Havel-Bloomquist said their primary motivation was securing all parental rights in taking care of their 1-year-old son, Liam.
--- PHOTOS: BAY COUNTY COUPLES UNITE»»
--- SAME-SEX COUPLES MARRIED ACROSS THE STATE»»
“We jumped on it,” Havel-Bloomquist said of being at the courthouse early. “Why wait a second?”
The couple are Panama City natives. Havel-Bloomquist knew a change to marriage equality was coming and thought it might come a little sooner. Still, she does feel culturally there is more accepting of gay couples now, especially because she was once fired for being gay.
“The older generation has a predilection about what they think you’re supposed to be,” Johnson said. “Even if they disrespect you, don’t disrespect yourself.”