Historical Day For Hays County

Pictured LT to RT; Virginia Pickering, Stacy Steenken, Judge Linda Rodriguez, Mitsie Benton, Michelle Mehrens

Historical Day For Hays County

 

Today marks a first in Hays County history. This morning at 10:30 Mitsie Benton and Stacy Steenken were married at the old fish hatchery by Judge Linda A. Rodriguez; the same location they had their commitment ceremony 20 years ago and recommitment ceremony 9 years ago.

 

Mitsie and Stacy have been together for over 24 years. They originally met while attending Calvary Baptist Church, in San Marcos, Texas.

 

Stacy moved to San Marcos in 1988 to go to college and loved it so much she decided to stay, and has worked as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director for the Department of Motor Vehicles for over three years.

 

Mitsie has lived in San Marcos since 1984 and has been very involved in the community. She has been a member of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Ambassador Committee, Ambassador of the Year 5 years in a row, Leadership San Marcos Class of 2011, and helped the class on building the Serenity Garden in the San Marcos Cemetery. In 2012, she was inducted into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame and in 2013, she received the Local and Regional Service to Mankind Award from the Sertoma Club.

 

It was reported that Mitsie and Stacy were the second same sex couple to receive their marriage license since Hays County started issuing the licenses on Monday, June 29.

 

In the 4 days of offering the licenses, Hays County Communications Specialist, Laureen Chernow, reports they have issued a total of 15.

 

The Hays County Clerk, along with all county government offices are closed for the Fourth of July holiday.