>> reporter: it was ruled same sex marriage are legal denying the state's request to halt them calling the ban unconstitutional. >> i never thought i would see this in my lifetime. i'm so grateful to finally have the protection of the state. >> this is it. it's go time. >> reporter: hundreds of lgbt couples lining up at clerk's offices weathering frigid temperatures. >> braved the cold all night long. >> reporter: and long twits tie the knots getting their hands on marriage licenses. >> try number four for us. >> reporter: it's a victory nine years in the making. utah now joins the nation's capital and 17 other states that have legalized same sex marriage. >> it's huge deal because for mormons who have been spending these years fighting this battle they've seen it happen across the country but didn't expect to have it come to really their backyard. >> reporter: the conservative states refusing to back down. filed an appeal in the 10th circuit court. the state's governor accusing shelby being an activist federal