Today, as a district court decision comes into effect making same-sex marriage legal, a Danish woman and her partner will be among the first same-sex couples to get married in Florida.

Malene Binau Bonnor told DR that she and her American partner, Carrie Sue Shak, were delighted to be able to tie the knot. “The feeling of being equal with others is fantastic,” she said.

“We have waited for this day for a year. We are becoming a part of history here in Florida!”

Ban unconstitutional
The state is the 36th to allow same-sex unions. A district court decision on 21 August 2014 held that Florida’s ban on gay marriages was contrary to the American constitution. The decision was not appealed and will therefore come into effect today.

Bonnor explained that, as well as the symbolic significance of being able to marry, it will improve her situation in more practical ways. “My school will be cheaper and I will be able to work. At the moment it’s Carrie who supports me,” she said.

“All the small, simple things that we take for granted in Denmark will be possible for us.”