Marriage equality update
In states affected by the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear appeals to the overturning of state gay marriage bans, there has been a lot of action. In addition, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that bans in Nevada and Idaho were unconstitutional. However, this morning, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy put that decision on a temporary hold. Here’s what is happening.
Gay couples have begun getting married in Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin, Indiana and Virginia.
Nevada and Idaho
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and state Attorney General Catherine Masto issued a joint statement late Tuesday saying their state will take no further action. However, Idaho requested a stay from the Supreme Court, and Justice Kennedy put a temporary hold on the Ninth Circuit’s decision, meaning the start of marriages in the two states will be delayed, perhaps by only a few days.
Missouri
The Missouri Attorney General said he would not appeal a state court order to recognize marriages from other states. This means that, while gay marriage is not legal in Missouri, marriages performed elsewhere ae legal and recognized by the state. Two other cases challenging the state’s gay marriage ban are pending.
Kansas
Gov. Sam Brownback wants to defend Kansas’ ban on same-sex marriage. Kansas is in the 10th Circuit Court’s area of jurisdiction, and most experts consider it only a matter of time before that court’s ruling in the Utah and Oklahoma cases is imposed on Kansas.
Colorado
The state Supreme Court lifted its orders barring the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses. The state’s Attorney General ordered all counties to issue licenses, on Tuesday.
South Carolina
Although South Carolina’s Attorney General vowed to continue to defend the state’s ban, a marriage license was issued to a same-sex couple in Charleston. Charleston County Probate Judge Irvin Condon said as a result of the Fourth Circuit Court’s ruling in a Virginia case, his court is required to accept and issue marriage licenses.
by Rob Howard, Associate Editor, The Gayly
Compiled for information provided by the Associated Press.
The Gayly – October 8, 2014 @ 10:25am