Texas AG Greg Abbott promises to fight same-sex marriage ruling

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/02/t...rriage-ruling/

This is a fight he can't win.

He's up for re-electon, so no suprise there.

U.S. Judge Orders Kentucky to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages

By REUTERS FEB. 27, 2014, 3:18 P.M. E.S.T.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2014/...xmarriage&_r=0
One more step toward equality in Marriage

Religious freedom bills: The latest effort to counter advances in marriage equality
A state-by-state status report on current legislation

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2014/02/r...iage-equality/

Follow the link for the rest of the article and the current litigation.

Illinois
 

June 1st is the official start of marriage equality in Illinois, but in a wonderful step forward, the state will begin issuing marriage licences immediately, saying there is no valid reason to wait.

Yayyyy Illinois

Democratic Legislators changed part of the language of the bill before the final vote, so the Bill will not be eligible for vote again until 2016 due to Indiana's requirements of passing 2 sessions of the house and senate unchanged prior to voting. Complicated, sorry if i'm not clear.

In any case, a lawsuit has been filed in Indana by 2 couples challanging the current ban same sex marriage, so the law being considered might be a moot point if the Federal Judge strikes
down the current restriction as unconstitutional before the vote can be taken.

Methodists
 

In other news...

The Methodist Church dropped all charges against the Minister recently charged with breaking the laws of the church by preforming the marriage of his son to a man. In December another Minister was defrocked for doing the exact same thing; have the Methodists realized that things they are a changin'?

Stay tuned.....

Arizona
 

Seven same-sex couples and two people whose partners have died, filed a lawsuit in Arizona seeking to have the consitutional ban overturned on the grounds it violates the 14th ammendment.

Michigan
 

Today a Federal Judge struck down Michigan's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, with no stay issued as to when marriages may begin.

As the ruling was handed down at the close of the court day, there was no time for marriage licenses to be issued, so unless there is an emergency stay issued over the weekend, marriage can begin Monday.

Whoop Michigan!!!

This is the first good political news coming out of Michigan since Fox news took over all the news outlets 30 years ago, and turned my progressive, liberal, always in the forefront on social and civil rights issues, home state, into a conservative wasteland. I hope they do start marriages right away, that will make this ruling irreversible unless further legislation takes place.

Smooches,
Keri

Michigan
 

As i suspected...

Marriages will be on hold until at least Wednesday in order to give the State time to appeal the decision. But, in a happy turn of events, hundreds of people were able to get married before the temporary stay was put in place, as Democratic county clerks added Saturday hours so that people could begin to marry immediately!

In Britian and Wales, same-sex marriage began today, with Scotland to follow in the fall.

Congratulations to both countries.:bunchflowers:

Ohio
 

Ohio was ordered today to honor same-sex marriages from other states.

The decision will probably be stayed until all appeals are exhausted, and this was not a ruling for same-sex marriages done in Ohio, but is a positive step anyway.

There will be a decision handed down in two weeks in Arkansas. I have a feeling that the judge will send it to the surpreme court.

Georgia
 

A Lawsuit representing 3same-sex couples and a recent widow was filed today, with an aim to overturning the 2004 ban passed on equal marriage.

Go Georgia!

Arkansas
 

Marriage equailty reigns in Arkansas, where the first of (hopefully) many marriages were performed today, and a total of 17 licenses were issued in one county. The AG has vowed to fight the ruling overturning the State ban, but so far no request has been filed. Stay tuned!

Congratulations Arkansas!!

The waiting is over!

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9itVa0rxsw.../s1600/ES6.jpg


IT'S TIME: Zeek Taylor and Dick Titus, together for 42 years.
http://www.arktimes.com/imager/b/blo...?cb=1399743239

This is beautiful news Congratulations to, the couple and to Arkansas.

Our people are so beautiful!
Look at those beautiful smiles.
Same sex marriage in Arkansas - who woulda thunk? One by the States are following the righteous path to increased freedom for all people. HIP HIP HURRAY!!!
Smooches,
Keri

Idaho
 

A Federal Judge has struck down Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage.

More to follow on whether a stay will be issued pending the States appeal of the decision.

Yayyyy Idaho!

Oregon
 

The courts just ruled that the National organization for Marriage (NOM h8ers), cannot defend the ban against same sex marriage in court in the place of the Governor, who refuses to justify hate. The decision whether or not to strike down the ban should come any day.

Meanwhile in Idaho, the Judge who struck down their ban is refusing to issue a stay, and in the event the 9th district (federal) court will not step in and stay the order, marriages in Idaho will begin Friday.

The 9th district court is the same one that left California hanging with a stay for so long, so unless they have changed i see a stay ahead for Idaho as well.

Idaho
 

As expected, the Ninth District Court of Appeals has granted a stay until the State has exhausted all appeals. :(

Arkansas
 

Congratulations to our own Jackhammer and Medusa on their recent marriage. May God give you enough of everything to make your lives long and happy together.

In other Arkansas news, the judge that overturned the ban originally, has now overturned all laws that pertain in any way to same-sex marriage, due to a Federal Court saying he had not gone far enough in his decision. As of 1 hour ago, Pulaski county is the ONLY county issuing licenses, as the other counties are refusing to do so because they are "confused".

More when news becomes available.

Arkansas
 

The Arkansas Supreme Court has issued a stay on the Judges ruling allowing same-sex marriage, until all appeals are exhausted by the state.

I assume those married during the last week are married still, but hopefully they will come out and let folks know soon.

Oregon
 

A Federal Judge just overturned Oregon's same-sex marriage ban, and the first licenses have been issued.

There should not be a stay issued, as neither the Governor of Oregon or the Attorney General will ask for an appeal, and the hate group NOM has been denied the right to appeal.

WTG Oregon!

Utah
 

The State of Utah was ordered by a Federal Court today to declare the 1200 same-sex marriages done before their stay was put in place, to be valid.

Utah tried to declare the marriages as not valid, but to do so would create hardship and distress to those couples married during the brief time it was legal.

Whoop!!

I wager this whole thing is going to topple by the end of the year.

Pennsylvania
 

A decision is expected soon (possibly today), on marriage equality in Pennsylvania.

The State has gone to considerable expense to hire a private Attorney to defend the ban, as the Attorney General said he could not further the cause for hate and unequal rights.
:praying:

Just a thought...there are 18 states and the District of Columbia which now allow equal marriage, and with the others in limbo (Utah, Texas, Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma-->8-9 total) awaiting final outcomes, by the end of the year there could be half more/less of the states having passed marriage equality. The final half i see over the next 5 years unless the United States Supreme Court steps in and makes a blanket law for all.

There are States where you can still be fired for being gay, and/or be denied housing and other services, and although equal marriage will help, other laws must be changed as well for our brothers and sisters to have a chance at real equality.

Thank you MsTinkerbelly for all of your updates!

The ban in Pennsylvania was struck down by the State Distict Court today, but it is not known yet if the Governor will file for a stay and appeal.

Whoop Pennsylvania!

Rue Landau and Kerry Smith issued first legal marriage license in #Pennsylvania!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BoGireKIMAAjALt.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQXF77kA4q...600/PAwiki.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rICIL4M973...egendFinal.jpg

legal to get hitched!!
 

Yeah Pennsylvania!!! My home state! Our Attorney General Kathleen Kane has supported this from the get go! What a wonderful feeling, and to have it in my life time!!

Pa is a progressive state as far as the majority here. When polled on the rights of same sex marriage my state is in favor at about 50% :) I would say IMOP our Gov will not file a stay and appeal this.

I have followed this, and whats funny is after the Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and Prop 8 being struck down, there were organizations that approached her (Kathleen Kane our Attorney General) to fight to keep the ban, her response was something to the effect of: She has no intentions to waste the resources of Pa on fighting this, although it is her personal belief that same sex marriages should be allowed, she felt our public resources would be better spent elsewhere!! So very minimally, and without much effort there was some movement, but it was just to bide the time for this PA court ruling in which she was in the "know" of what the end result would be. How sweet it is that Pa residents can sing.......going to the chapel and I'm gonna get married!! And have it recognized as legal!

The Governor just announced that he will not appeal the decision to allow marriage equality. So....marriages may commense thurs/fri (3 day waitng period after license received), and all marriages done outside of Pennsylvania are to be recognized by the state immediately.

Congrats to #19!!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BoHdVcBIEAEegFV.jpg

The White House ✔ @WhiteHouse
Follow
RT if you agree: Every American should be able to marry the person they love. #MarriageEquality
7:40 PM - 20 May 2014

Illinois
 

Same-sex marriage licenses began to be issued today in Illinois!

Marriage equality was passed a while back, but did not go into effect until June 1st.

WTG!!!