Tag: same-sex marriage

Posted on

HUGE NEWS! 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Rules Nevada & Idaho Marriage Bans Unconstitutional

Via press release from the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today’s decision, written by Judge Stephen Reinhardt, holds that “Idaho and Nevada’s marriage laws, by preventing same-sex couples from marrying and refusing to recognize same-sex marriages celebrated elsewhere, impose profound legal, financial, social and psychic harms on numerous citizens of those states.”

The decision further states: “Classifying some families, and especially their children, as of lesser value should be repugnant to all those in this nation who profess to believe in ‘family values.’ In any event, Idaho and Nevada’s asserted preference for opposite-sex parents does not, under heightened scrutiny, come close to justifying unequal treatment on the basis of sexual orientation.”

The Idaho case was brought in November 2013 by four same-sex couples: Sue Latta and Traci Ehlers, Lori and Sharene Watsen, Shelia Robertson and Andrea Altmayer, and Amber Beierle and Rachael Robertson. The couples are represented by Idaho attorneys Deborah Ferguson and Craig Durham of Ferguson Durham LLP and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). On September 8th, Ferguson argued before Ninth Circuit Judges Stephen Reinhardt, Marsha S. Berzon, and Ronald M. Gould that Idaho’s laws that ban marriage equality and prohibit the state from respecting the marriages of same-sex couples who married in other states violate the U.S. Constitution. The Idaho case was consolidated for purposes of the decision with Sevcik v. Sandoval, a case challenging Nevada’s marriage ban brought by same-sex couples represented by Lambda Legal.

Posted on

Missouri AG Will Not Appeal Same-Sex Marriage Recognition Ruling

Attorney General for Missouri, Chris Koster, has issued a statement that the state will not appeal a recent ruling requiring the state to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.

The state of Missouri is part of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has not ruled as of yet on the issue of same-sex marriage.

“The circuit court’s judgment in Barrier v. Vasterling held that Missouri must recognize marriages lawfully entered into in other states. We will not appeal that judgment. Our national government is founded upon principles of federalism – a system that empowers Missouri to set policy for itself, but also obligates us to honor contracts entered into in other states. A consequence of this morning’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court is that gay marriage will soon be legal in as many as 30 states. At a time when Missouri is competing to attract the nation’s premier businesses and most talented employees, we should not demand that certain individuals surrender their marriage licenses in order to live and work among us. Missouri’s future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion.”

In the past, Koster, who is a Democrat, has indicated that he personally believes in marriage equality but would defend the laws on the books in his state.

Until today.

Posted on

Add Colorado To The List As Attorney General Admits Defeat On Marriage Equality

The Attorney General of Colorado, John Suthers, issued a statement today saying all opposition to same-sex marriage would be dropped in light of the US Supreme Court’s denial of review of all circuit court rulings on the issue.

Colorado is in the 10 Circuit Court, which oversees Utah and Oklahoma, whose appeals were denied today.

The United States Supreme Court this morning denied review of all seven of the petitions from the lower Federal Circuit Courts that arose from challenges to state bans on same-sex marriage.

“Because the 10th Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over Colorado, struck down Utah and Oklahoma’s ban, today’s decision by the high court clears the way for same-sex couples to legally wed in Colorado once stay orders have been lifted.

“The following statement is to be attributed to Colorado Attorney General John Suthers:

“We have consistently maintained that we will abide by the Supreme Court’s determination on the constitutionality of marriage laws.

“By choosing not to take up the matter, the court has left the 10th Circuit ruling in place. We expect the 10th Circuit will issue a final order governing Colorado very shortly. Once the formalities are resolved, clerks across the state must begin issuing marriage licenses to all same-sex couples.

“We will file motions to expedite the lifting of the stays in the federal and state courts and will advise the clerks when to issue licenses.”

(via press release)

Posted on

Wisconsin: Gov. Scott Walker Reacts As State Begins Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

WBAY reports that two counties – Dane and Outgamie – have begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Three others – Brown County, Calumet County and Fond du Lac – say they are waiting for more guidance from the Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office.”

The Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office released this statement:

“Today’s action by the U.S. Supreme Court allows Judge Crabb’s order to take effect. The Department, having made every effort to fulfill its duty to defend the state constitution, will now work with its state agency clients to implement the order.”

A spokesperson for Gov. Scott Walker released this statement:

“Our office is working with the Department of Justice to evaluate the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision and determine next steps for the state.”

And the haters at Wisconsin Family Action are already up in arms. Juliane Appling issued this statement:

“The high court’s denial of our Wisconsin case and these other cases is profoundly disappointing. However, at some point the US Supreme Court will take a case on this issue. Wisconsin’s marriage amendment is on hold, but should the Court ultimately rule that the US Constitution does give the states the right to determine for themselves what marriage is, our amendment will be reinstated.”

Posted on

Virginia: Attorney General Says Same-Sex Marriage Could Begin Today

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has announced that same-sex couples in the state should be able to obtain marriage licenses as soon as today following the Supreme Court’s denial of all seven gay marriage cases earlier this morning.

Posted on

US Supreme Court Denies Review Of All Seven Same-Sex Marriage Cases

USA Today has the big news!

The Supreme Court refused to get involved in the national debate over same-sex marriage Monday, leaving intact lower court rulings that will legalize the practice in 11 additional states. The unexpected decision by the justices, announced without further explanation, immediately affects five states in which federal appeals courts had struck down bans against gay marriage: Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah.

It also will bring along six other states located in the judicial circuits overseen by those appellate courts: North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. The action will bring to 30 the number of states where gays and lesbians can marry. Appeals courts in Cincinnati and San Francisco are considering cases that could expand that number further, presuming the Supreme Court remains outside the legal fray.

Freedom To Marry tweets the happy news:

Arguments have been heard on marriage cases in the 6th Circuit and 9th Circuit courts of appeals, and decisions could come at any time.

Posted on

Sen. Rand Paul Waffles On Same-Sex Marriage

GOP Sen. Rand Paul discusses the issue of same-sex marriage and the Republican party.

In doing so, he says he believes in “old-fashioned traditional marriage, but that the Republican party “can have people on both sides of the issue.”

When asked if HE could rethink his position on the issue – he shrugs.

This won’t play well with the haters. They need firm, absolute “gay-marriage disdain” or they will not invite you to play.