Jacquelyn Martin / AP
The crowd reacts as the ruling on same-sex marriage was announced outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday June 26, 2015. The Supreme Court declared Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the U.S.
Published Friday, June 26, 2015 | 2:30 p.m.
Updated Friday, June 26, 2015 | 5:57 p.m.
As one of the world’s top destinations for weddings, Las Vegas sent an open-arms invitation to millions of same-sex couples now able to elope without fear of legal discrimination: Get married here.
That message buzzed through the city today after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to strike down same-sex marriage bans nationwide that had been long sought by LGBT advocates.
Las Vegas has long been a friend of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community — using advertising campaigns, events and discounts to let people know the city is welcoming of people of any sexual orientation.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has been advertising to the LGBT community for the past six years and recently created a television spot targeted to the demographic for its “What Happens Here” campaign.
“Las Vegas has long been a leading LGBT destination and continues to be the wedding capital of the world,” LVCVA spokeswoman Heidi Hayes said. “We are excited that our fabulous weddings and honeymoons can be enjoyed by all Americans equally.”
Emily Couture, 29, is an ordained wedding official and is offering her services for same-sex couples who want to tie the knot tonight at downtown bar Artifice.
Couture is the marketing manager for a shooting range and wedding chapel, The Gun Store, and has officiated for more than 100 weddings at the shooting range, on top of apartments, in the desert and other drinking establishments.
"Even though same sex marriage has been legal for a few months in Nevada, I wanted to make a push and give back,” she said. "There were so many people who were denied that right for so long. I thought it was time to celebrate."
She asks that couples who want to marry bring wedding licenses from the county clerk’s marriage license bureau, which is open until midnight, and photo IDs.
The Supreme Court’s ruling was recognized in different ways throughout Las Vegas.
Las Vegas City Hall and the High Roller observation wheel at the LINQ were bathed in rainbow-colored lighting.
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada will hold a rally featuring state lawmakers Sen. David Parks and Assemblyman Nelson Araujo at 5:30 p.m. today at 401 S. Maryland Parkway.
Photos of Elvis-themed chapels, promises of future wedding trips and other mentions of Las Vegas popped up on social media.
The Clark County Clerk’s Office, which runs the county’s marriage license bureau, welcomed the news and same-sex couples to Las Vegas. Last year, more than 80,000 weddings were officiated in the county.
“Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world and one of the premier destinations of gay travelers,” Clark County Clerk Lynn Goya said. “I think this is good news for Nevada businesses and the wedding industry.”
Wedding chapels have been able to perform same-sex marriages in Nevada since a federal appeals court struck down the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on Oct. 9. Since then, Clark County has issued 2,618 same-sex marriage licenses.
Nevada was one of 36 states allowing same-sex marriages prior to today’s Supreme Court ruling. Only nine states allowed the practice prior to 2012.
The Supreme Court decision followed more than 40 decisions from lower courts around the country. The U.S. joins 20 countries that have no prohibitions on marriage.
Charolette Richards, owner of the iconic Little White Wedding Chapel in downtown Las Vegas, said the ruling doesn’t change much for her.
“Sexual orientation doesn’t matter,” she said. “I am not the judge of anyone.”
Richards has been in the wedding business for nearly 60 years, and her chapel has married hundreds of thousands of people, straight and gay.
Olivia Alfonso, assistant manager of the Gay Chapel of Las Vegas, said the court’s ruling will be a boon for business.
Before Nevada’s same-sex marriage ban was struck down in October, the chapel did about 500 “symbolic ceremonies” that lacked the legal status of a marriage every year. “Now that it’s legal nationwide, it will be even better for us,” she said.
The Supreme Court’s decision will give couples the right to file joint income tax returns, share health insurance and receive each other’s government benefits.
Those are among the litany of benefits once denied same-sex couples and among the reasons activists fought for a legal ruling on the matter.
Michael Dimengo, CEO of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, said the court’s decision shows how public opinion has shifted in recent years.
“There are lots of tears of joy,” he said.
Members of the center were at Nellis Air Force Base today doing “cultural competency training” with members of the military. “That speaks volumes to where our military and country are going,” he said.
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