Over 200 couples wait in line for the midnight issuing of marriage licenses on December 6 in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2012. A law legalizing same-sex matrimony took effect in Washington state on Thursday, and officials geared up for a flood of marriage-license applications from gay and lesbian couples eager to exchange vows. Washington made history last month as one of three U.S. states where marriage rights were extended to same-sex couples by popular vote, joining Maryland and Maine in passing ballot initiatives recognizing gay nuptials. Picture taken Decemvber 5, 2012. REUTERS/Marcus Donner (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY)