‘Bride’ and groom may face charges

The couple walked into a Norfolk courthouse on a spring day, exchanged a few words, and within 10 minutes, were seemingly husband and wife.

Several weeks later, when one of the pair applied for a name change to Penelopsky Aaryonna Goldberry, officials realized the shapely bride might not have been a woman.

Since same-sex marriages are illegal in the state, authorities are weighing whether to charge the couple, Antonio E. Blount, 31, and Justin L. McCain, 18.

Activists say the case highlights the difficulty in trying to fit transgender individuals into rigid legal definitions of what makes one male or female.

The marriage license application used the terms “groom” and “bride.” An official said that has been changed to “male applicant” and “female applicant.”