Breaking: Federal Judge Rules Oklahoma Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Unconstitutional

[FreeState]

And the walls came tumbling down....

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/breaking-federal-judge-rules-oklahoma-ban-on-same-sex-marriage-unconstitutional/politics/2014/01/14/81744#.UtW5unmYCYU

Federal U.S. District Judge Terence Kern has just ruled that Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The judge also stayed his ruling pending possible appeal, so same-sex couples cannot yet marry in Oklahoma.


Oklahoma could be on its way to becoming the 18th or 19th state to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Currently, Utah’s case is pending appeal.

The Human Rights Campaign blog was among the first to break the news.

“Judge Kern has come to the conclusion that so many have before him – that the fundamental equality of lesbian and gay couples is guaranteed by the United States Constitution,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “With last year’s historic victories at the Supreme Court guiding the way, it is clear that we are on a path to full and equal citizenship for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. Equality is not just for the coasts anymore, and today’s news from Oklahoma shows that time has come for fairness and dignity to reach every American in all 50 states.”

[joeybee12]

1. And I thought Utah was a shocker!!!!

[WillyT]

2. HUGE K & R !!!

[OKNancy]

3. no immediate marriages though

"Kern's ruling does not allow for the immediate introduction of gay marriage in Oklahoma, as it is stayed pending circuit appeal."

[FreeState]

8. Makes me wonder if Utah had not been stayed

what would have happened here. It won't be long hopefully that a single case or combination of these cases wipe out every anti-gay law in one ruling. The day is coming

[FreeState]

12. Found the answer in the ruling:)

"The Court declares that Part A of the Oklahoma Constitutional Amendment violates theEqual Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by precluding same-sex couples from receiving an Oklahoma marriage license. The Court permanently enjoinsenforcement of Part A against same-sex couples seeking a marriage license. In accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s issuance of a stay in a nearly identical case on appeal from the District Court of Utah to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, see Herbert v. Kitchen, U.S. Supreme Court Order in Pending Case 13A687 (Jan. 6, 2014), the Court stays execution of this injunction pending the finaldisposition of any appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals."

[AuntPatsy]

4. The dominos continue to fall ,great to hear..

[Behind the Aegis]

5. That could push up my timeline.

I figured I would be retirement age or dead before I could get married here. Shit just got real!

[FreeState]

7. Since Prop 8 I feel the US has grown up a lot

The life of LGBT youth today is so different than my reality at their age. I don't think I truly ever envisioned a day like today as a reality. It makes me immensely happy to know what the future holds for queer youth.

[rurallib]

17. prop 8 served as a wake up call

[MuseRider]

29. WOW!

Lets hope it spreads North.

I hope it happens soon for you !

[hrmjustin]

6. Amen!

[X_Digger]

9. Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

.. Myyy.

(Thought I was gonna say 'Klahoma', didn't cha?)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

10. I wanna see heads explode!

Like Coburn and Inhofe.


Is this judge related to Sally Kern? She made some very anti-gay remarks.

[FreeState]

13. Haha Judge was Clinton appointee (1994) n/t

[DURHAM D]

15. Terrence was born in Clinton, OK and

is a Clinton appointee. He is 70 years old. I sort of hope he is related to Sally because this decision would be even more delicious but she is from Arkansas originally.

[Botany]

24. I like the sound of bigots heads a-popping

"I'm really proud to say that in the recorded history of our family, we've never had a divorce or
any kind of homosexual relationship." 6/6/2006 Sen Inhofe.

[NuclearDem]

11. I think the devil is going to need long johns at this point.

First Utah and now Oklahoma.

[Iggo]

14. Tick, tick, tick...

Time's running out on this particular brand of institutionalized bigotry.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

16. Why can't they strike all the anti-gay marriage laws at once?

Equal protection clause, or full faith and credit clause, or privileges and immunities clause??

Anyone??? I have a law degree but don't know why they don't apply one of those as far as people in different states having different rights.

[X_Digger]

18. This is the way such things always happen.

Historically, people point to a case like Roe, Loving, or Brown as though that put an end to something, but that's rarely the case. It's almost always a tough-as-nails scrabble to drag localities and jurisdictions in line with precedent.

[riqster]

19. The Supremes in DC did not rule thus. Not yet, anyway.

Not sure why. Perhaps one of the DU Legal Beagles can tell us the reason.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

20. They have refused to take it up, I guess.

Making the different appellate circuit courts make laws.

[riqster]

21. Ahhhh, then they can gauge the political winds

Before having to take a risk themselves.

[Fearless]

27. They would wait at least until

The appellate courts rule on these cases. They don't want to lead, this SJC follows not leads on social issues. In the meantime let's build as much precedence as possible.

[Raine1967]

22. KICKING ~!!!!

My Sister's-in-law live on Oklahoma! They are in a state of total surprise and shock. They didn't ever see this happening.

WOOHOO!

One by one the walls are falling.

[niyad]

23. k and r

[Fearless]

25. The dam is really leaking now.

Just a few more holes and it will come crashing down. How about Virginia?

[Politicub]

26. Dominos are falling

Hope my state is next. At least the federal government recognizes my marriage even though the state doesn't.

[weissmam]

28. Brain Brown from NOM must be crying somewhere

very soon he will have to look for a job