Judge Orders Utah Gay Marriages To Be Recognized

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/19/utah-gay-marriage_n_5353968.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay%20Voices

In another stick it to the bigots move, the judge ordered the Utah Gov to recognize the 1,200+ marriages performed in Utah after the ban was initially overturned. Not a complete defeat of their efforts, because they can still file appeals in a higher court. But good news.

"Governor Gary Herbert and Attorney General Sean Reyes shall immediately recognize the marriages by same-sex couples entered pursuant to Utah marriage licenses issued and solemnized between December 20, 2013, and January 6, 2014, and afford these same-sex marriages all the protections benefits and responsibilities given to all marriages under Utah law," Kimball ruled.

Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, echoed the judge's sentiments in a Monday statement.

“More than 1,300 committed couples paid their fees, were issued marriage licenses, stood before family and friends, and got married â€" and the court was right to hold that they should be treated as what they are: married," he said in the statement. "Many others also want to take on that legal commitment and are being denied, and the litigation continues, as must our work in Utah and nationwide. The appeals courts and the Supreme Court should rule against marriage discrimination, just as the judge did today. America is ready for the freedom to marry.”

Oh I do love it when the Gov and the Attorney General are on TV bein' all butthurt and tight lipped. 

[Solitary]

The topic of gay marriage is so ridiculous because of religious belief and out right bigotry, it belongs in the Dark Ages that we seem to be heading for again because of ignorance, the same as it was for then, blind faith in authority.  Solitary

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I believe this makes a 13-0 win record in the courts for gay marriage. Funny to watch here in Utah, because you've got 3 basically pro Mormon channels acting all somber about it and one channel (ironically, Fox) that is kind of laughing behind their hands about it.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

Just wait until the pits of H E double toothbrushes rises up out of the great salt lake!

[SGOS]

Just wait until the pits of H E double toothbrushes rises up out of the great salt lake!

More hurricanes will bash the Gulf Coast this summer.

[SGOS]

After years and years of God fearing preachers condemning gays as perverts and teaching their flocks to hate minority outsiders, it's odd that the courts took so long to step in and rule on the issue.  It seems so simple now.  Why didn't the courts simply tell all the bigots to stop being dickheads 30 years ago? 

It strikes me as odd.  I guess 30 years ago, not enough people cared.  It's like 30 years ago, society was an enabler for assholes like the Pat Robertsons and the Jerry Falwells, and allowed them to spread their venomous messages of hatred.  Religion does so much good, doesn't it?

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Utah. Mmmm... I am feeling some sort of a sexual satisfaction coming deep from my gut and I'm not gay and don't even live in the country. Utah. Hehe. These are the moments I love and cherish 'Murrica! 

I may be the only person on the forum that can truly understand the mindset behind this, because I grew up Mormon and still reside here. The weird part for me is that 20 or so years ago I would be pooh poohing this and be tight lipped just like the Mormons, but now it is genuine joy to see these victories over stupidity. I actually applauded last night when a gay couple kissed on screen after their vows had been recognized. Believe me, in this place that is a real victory.

[The Skeletal Atheist]

More delicious legal precedent. Yes, conservatives, keep your appeals up. You just give us more legal precedent for the day we finally slap this issue down once and for all.

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Aand the hits just keep on a-comin'......

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/20/pennsylvania-gay-marriage_n_5358491.html

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge John Jones' decision in Whitewood v. Wolf, the suit filed last year on behalf of several same-sex couples, strikes down Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act. His ruling comes one day after a federal judge ruled against Oregon's gay marriage ban, and marks the 14th legal victory in a row for marriage equality.

The decision was left to Jones after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) and the plaintiffs decided to avoid a trial.

Below, more details from the Associated Press:

Pennsylvania's ban on gay marriage was overturned by a federal judge Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III called the plaintiffs â€" a widow, 11 couples and one of the couples' two teenage daughters â€" courageous.

"We now join the 12 federal district courts across the country which, when confronted with these inequities in their own states, have concluded that all couples deserve equal dignity in the realm of civil marriage," Jones wrote.

An appeal to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is likely. Gov. Tom Corbett's office had defended the law after Attorney General Kathleen Kane called it unconstitutional and refused to defend it.

State marriage bans have been falling around the country since the U.S. Supreme Court last year struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

In all, 18 states give legal status to gay marriage. If Jones' decision stands, Pennsylvania would become the 19th and legalize gay marriage throughout the Northeast.

This is very cool for me because a gay couple from Philly attended my daughter's wedding last year in Colorado. 2 very nice individuals. I would love to see them have the same opportunity my daughter had.