The Most Inspiring Photos You'll See All Week - Lesbian Septuagenarians Challenge N.C. Marriage Ban

A lesbian couple that’s been together for 40 years challenged North Carolina’s marriage ban as part of the WE DO campaign when they filed for a marriage license at the Henderson County Register of Deeds office Wednesday, reports BlueRidgeNow.com.

"Carole and I are here today to apply for a marriage license," 79-year-old Mary Burson said. "Because we love each other, we've been together for 40 years...we've raised eight children together and we want to make the commitment that our brothers and sisters that are heterosexual can make."

Burson and her partner Carole Kaiser, also 79, were joined by their daughters and a church pastor when they approached the county’s Register of Deeds Nedra Moles for a license. Moles did not break with the state’s antigay law and issue the couple a license.

The Campaign for Southern Equality’s WE DO Campaign involves LGBT couples requesting marriage licenses in their hometowns across the South to call for full equality under federal law.

While Burson and Kaiser did not become the first same-sex couple to obtain a marriage license in North Carolina, they appeared emboldened by their act of activism none-the-less.

Enjoy these exclusive photos of Burson and Kaiser attempting to make history! 

Kaiser (left) and Burson (right) lead a line of supporters toward the courthouse.

Circled outside the courthouse for a blessing. 

Kaiser and Burson with their daughters. 

At the counter applying for the license. 

License request denied. 

But nothing gets in the way of enduring love. 

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