Some gay marriage opponents balk, while couples rush to wed

CINCINNATI (AP) — With the mayor of Dayton declaring "you are now husband and husband," the wait for Ohio to allow same-sex marriage ended for a gay couple in the city just as it is ending for couples across the last states with bans on such unions — even if the opposition isn't over.

Some couples rushed to marriage license bureaus and even wed Friday within hours of the Supreme Court ruling that said gay couples can marry anywhere in the country including in the 14 remaining states with bans. Steadfast activists who say traditional marriage is defined as a man and a woman vowed to defend rights of religious objectors and to try to battle back politically.

There were also scattered holdouts, with some officials in those states contending they needed more time and legal direction before complying with the 5-4 ruling.

"Texans' fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected," Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said. "No Texan is required by the Supreme Court's decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage."

His office later clarified a directive to state agencies telling them to preserve religious liberties, saying the order didn't allow them to discriminate against employees in same-sex couples.

Same-sex couples got marriage licenses Friday in Dallas, Austin and the state's other big cities, but many counties were holding off after the Texas attorney general urged them not to rush. A couple counties claimed technical glitches prevented them from processing licenses for gay couples.

Governors in Louisiana and Mississippi also railed against the ruling.