Tag: same-sex marriage

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Sen. Orrin Hatch on the inevitability of marriage equality in the US

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch

Seven term Republican Senator from Utah Orrin Hatch indicated during a radio interview with KSL Radio’s “Doug Wright Show” that he views marriage equality as inevitable, and anyone who doesn’t think so “Isn’t living in the real world.”

“Let’s face it, anybody who does not believe that gay marriage is going to be the law of the land just hasn’t been observing what’s going on. There is a question whether [the courts] should be able to tell the states what they can or cannot do with something as important as marriage, but the trend right now in the courts is to permit gay marriage and anybody who doesn’t admit that just isn’t living in the real world.

“We have an excellent federal bench [in Utah]. Other federal judges down there might not have arrived at the same conclusion that these two have. But I think it’s a portent of the future that sooner or later gay marriage is probably going to be approved by the Supreme Court of the United States, certainly as the people in this country move towards it, especially young people.

“I don’t think that’s the right way to go; on the other hand, I do accept whatever the courts say.”

It should be noted that Hatch played a key role, as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in the nominations of both Robert Shelby (who ruled Utah’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional) and Dale Kimball (who recently declared Utah must recognize those same-sex couples who married in Utah during the brief window between late December and January 6).

(source)

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Columbian President Juan Manuel Santos supports equal marriage rights for same-sex couples

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, in a Google Hangout with El Tiempo, says he supports equal marriage rights for same-sex couples:

“Marriage between homosexuals to me is perfectly acceptable and what’s more I am defending unions that exist between two people of the same sex with the rights and all of the same privileges that this union should receive.

“If these unions are called marriage or not is secondary to me. For me it is important that they have their rights.”

In South America, same-sex marriage is presently legal in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

(source)

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Marquette University poll: Support for same-sex marriage at 55% in Wisconsin

According to a new Marquette University poll, support for marriage equality in Wisconsin now measures at 55% versus 37% opposing same-sex marriage.

A federal judge is currently considering the constitutionality of the state’s ban on the freedom to marry.  A ruling is expected soon.

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Nevada get same-sex marriage ban challenge date in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Nevada, my current home state, has finally gotten a date for arguments in the Ninth Circuit Court regarding a challenge of the state’s same-sex marriage ban.

From Equality On Trial:

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered Sevcik v. Sandoval, Lambda Legal’s challenge to Nevada’s same-sex marriage ban, to be placed on their argument calendar.

The case will be argued some time in September, though the order doesn’t specify an exact date.

Last night, the plaintiffs filed a request with the appeals court to schedule their case no later than a separate challenge to Idaho’s same-sex marriage ban.

The Nevada case has been on appeal in the Ninth Circuit since December 2012, while the Idaho appeal was only docketed a couple of weeks ago.

The original case was decided against the plaintiffs on September 26, 2012. Although briefs were filed months ago, the appeal has been put on hold while the court looked to other cases.

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Cameron & Mitchell of “Modern Family” finally walk down the aisle

After an entire season of planning, Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) finally walked down the aisle in the season 5 finale of “Modern Family.”

In the wake of several states legalizing same-sex marriage and a Gallup poll showing support for marriage equality is at an all-time high, Cam and Mitch’s wedding is a timely end to the season.

(via OUT)

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Wisconsin Atty General asks for stay in advance of same-sex marriage ruling

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has already filed a request for a federal judge to stay any order regarding same-sex marriage she may issue.

Van Hollen, a Republican, filed the motion to stay on today in advance of any future order.

During an interview with WISN-TV last weekend, Van Hollen said he expects the state to lose its case. Many court watchers feel this further telegraphs a sense that Van Hollen expects U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb to rule against the state.

(source)

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It’s South Dakota’s turn: Same-sex marriage ban challenge filed

Six couples have filed a lawsuit challenging the current same-sex marriage ban in South Dakota:

Nancy and Jennie Rosenbrahn of Rapid City are among the couples who filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls Thursday. The two married in Minnesota in April.

“I think what matters is that we’re all sending a message to either the Supreme Court or the legislators in Washington, D.C., that this has got to stop,” Nancy Rosenbrahn said Wednesday, reports the Associated Press.

The South Dakota legislature passed a law barring gay and lesbian couples from marrying in 1996, and voters across the state approved a constitutional amendment to that effect in 2006. The state attorney general, Marty Jackley, said it is his responsibility to defend the law, according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

“If there is going to be a change, then that change should come from the voters of South Dakota at the ballot box,” he said.

North Dakota is now the only state in the US which outlaws same-sex marriage with no legal challenge.

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Lawsuit against Pennsylvania County Clerk for issuing same-sex marriage licenses to be dropped

Bruce Hanes

Last year, Pennsylvania’s marriage equality journey took a huge step forward when Montgomery County Clerk Bruce Hanes began issuing marriage licenses to any same-sex couples who applied.

In time, Hanes was admonished by the governor, ordered to stop and was promptly sued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health along with the Governor.

In light of yesterday’s ruling that the state’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional, the lawsuit against Hanes will be dropped today:

Wednesday night, Frank Custer, the Director of Communications of Montgomery County, told NBC10 that in light of the recent court ruling, Hanes would once again be allowed to issue the marriage licenses.

“It is our understanding that the PA Department of Health tonight will file a “letter of no objection” with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concerning the stay preventing Montco Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes from issuing same sex marriage licenses,” Custer said in a written release.

“This should allow the Supreme Court to issue a ruling tomorrow allowing Mr. Hanes to resume issuing those licenses.”

After the federal judge struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban on Tuesday, Hanes said he was looking forward to having the restrictions that were implemented by the lawsuit lifted.

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Pennsylvania will NOT appeal marriage equality ruling

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett issued this statement today on his website:

“I have thoroughly reviewed Judge Jones’ opinion in the Whitewood case. Given the high legal threshold set forth by Judge Jones in this case, the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal. Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my Commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal Judge Jones’ decision.

As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not w​​avered. I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as Governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the Courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal.

“Throughout the debate on this important and meaningful issue, I have maintained that Commonwealth officials and agencies would follow the provisions of Pennsylvania’s marriage law unless or until a court says otherwise. The court has spoken, and I will ensure that my administration follows the provisions of Judge Jones’ order with respect for all parties.

It is my hope that as the important issue of same-sex relationships continues to be addressed in our society, that all involved be treated with respect.”