Gay couples in Nevada have been having a field day getting marriage licenses and finally marrying their partners following a district judge ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.

Nevada started issuing marriage licenses to gay couples Thursday after district court judge James Mahan ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in the state, just as conservatives opposed to the ruling withdrew their opposition from the court.

Like Us on Facebook

The Protect Marriage Group withdrew their petition to have the decision reviewed.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling on Tuesday legalizing same-sex marriage in Nevada and Idaho. The ruling came a day after the Supreme Court said that it would leave intact the lower court rulings that overturned the bans in five states.

The move came as obstacles to gay marriage had been torn down in several states including West Virginia. Legal observers said the Supreme Court and the federal courts' decisions could extend the legal same-sex marriages to 35 states.

"I'm just so very, very pleased. I'm just ecstatic," said Mary Baranovich, who was the plaintiff in the Nevada case that banned same-sex marriage.

Baranovich and her partner of 43 years have three children. She filed a legal case challenging the Nevada ban.

U.S. District Judge James Mahan has issued a permanent injunction against Nevada from barring same-sex marriage in the state.

As Mahan's decision circulated,  Vegas started issuing marriage licenses and tweeting about the happy couples who have received them.

State Senator Kevin Alkitson and his partner Sherwood Howard were the first gay couple to marry on the courthouse's steps after obtaining a marriage license in Nevada.

Baranovich and the other plaintiffs said the last obstacle to gay marriage was cleared after the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage group withdrew its petition to stay the decision of the court.

TagsGay, Nevada, marriage, court.district judge, legalization, Gay, gay marriage, same-sex, same sex marriage