Reaction to Supreme Court action on gay marriage

Here are some reactions to the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear gay marriage appeals. The court's order immediately ends delays on marriage in Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Virginia. Couples in six other states — Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming — should be able to get married in short order. Those states would be bound by the same appellate rulings that were put on hold pending the Supreme Court's review.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma County awaits order in gay marriage case - Oklahoma City (AP) — The clerk in Oklahoma's largest county says his office won't immediately begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in the case.

Oklahoma County Court Clerk Tim Rhodes says his office won't issue licenses until a stay is lifted by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Rhodes says that stay must be lifted before he can begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples.

Kansas

ACLU to challenge Kansas gay marriage ban - Wichita, Kan. (AP) — A decision by the nation's highest court is expected to clear the way for the expansion soon of same-sex marriages to Kansas.

The U.S. Supreme Court turned away appeals from five states seeking to prohibit gay and lesbian unions. The American Civil Liberties Union says that since the appeals from Oklahoma and Utah originated in the 10th Circuit, the decision in those cases will affect states in that circuit, including Kansas.

The ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri says it plans to file a lawsuit soon asking a federal judge to block the Kansas law prohibiting gay marriage.

Thomas Witt, the executive director of Equality Kansas, says marriage equality is coming to Kansas, and that it may not be this morning, but perhaps another morning very soon.

Colorado

Gay marriage expected to begin soon in Colorado - Denver (AP) — Colorado is one of several states where same-sex weddings are expected to begin soon now that the U.S. Supreme Court has turned away appeals from five states seeking to prohibit gay marriage.

The court's order immediately ends delays on marriage in those states. Couples in six other states — Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming — should be able to get married in short order. Those states would be bound by the same appellate rulings that were put on hold pending the Supreme Court's review.

Colorado clerks said they were reviewing the ruling and waiting for word on when to grant same-sex marriage licenses. Clerks in at least three Colorado counties were ordered to stop issuing licenses because the 10th Circuit put its ruling on hold pending appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

by Ivan Moreno, Associated Press

Indiana

Clerks review gay marriage order, issue licenses - Bloomington, Ind. (AP) — County clerks across Indiana are reviewing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject appeals from Indiana and four other states seeking to ban same-sex marriages.

Marion County Clerk Beth White said she would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Indianapolis Monday but would not perform wedding ceremonies. Monroe County Chief Deputy Clerk Nicole Brown said she expected her office to also issue licenses after the county's attorney had reviewed the Supreme Court's order.

Wisconsin

Clerks issue same-sex marriage licenses - Milwaukee (AP) — County clerks in Milwaukee and Madison are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples who want them.

Dane County Clerk Scott McDonald and Milwaukee County Clerk Joseph Czarnezki said Monday that they were ready to issue licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Wisconsin's appeal in its gay marriage case. Czarnezki says his plan is to "issue marriage licenses to everyone — same-sex, opposite-sex — immediately." But he also says he doesn't think couples need to rush to get a license because gay marriage will remain legal following the court decision.

Florida

Ruling puts pressure on Fla. Attorney General - Tallahassee, Fla. (AP) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is being asked to drop her appeals in several ongoing lawsuits challenging the state's ban on gay marriage.

The request was made Monday by groups opposed to the ban after the U.S. Supreme Court turned away appeals from five states seeking to prohibit gay and lesbian unions.

Several Florida circuit judges and a U.S. judge in Tallahassee have already declared the state's ban unconstitutional. Bondi and Gov. Rick Scott have appealed those rulings. The judges have agreed to stay their rulings pending those appeals.

Bondi has maintained all along she was waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve the issue.

Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, said his group is filing a request Monday that asks U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle to dissolve the stay he issued in the federal case.

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The Gayly – October 6, 2014 @ 11:25am