This dose not surprise at all,at a rally hear last year Gov Jindal said Louisiana would would never allow this to pass as it would be the last state to do so.

Indiana and Wisconsin
 

Both marriage equality bans were struck down as unconstitutional today by the 7th Circuit Court of (federal) Appeals.

The Attorney Generals of both states will be asking for stays immediately, and have vowed to appeal to the US Supreme Court.

Good news for Wisconsin and Indiana!

Thirty-two (32) states petitioned the US Supreme Court for a judgement regarding marriage equality today; what a historic day!

Thank you for always keeping us up to date. I really appreciate it.

It is historic, truly.

The 5th Curcuit Court of appeals will hear the appeal of the lower courts decision regarding Louisiana's defeat, as well as the appeal filed by the state of Texas which had it's ban overturned.

Whether or not the bans are overturned, these cases will wind up with the SCOTUS very soon for a final decision.

Holy heck!
 

It's official!

The SCOTUS decided today to add same-sex marriage to their agenda for their first closed door session on September 29th of 2014.

They may not actually hear cases until January, but if so a decision could still be reached by June of 2015.

Louisiana
 

A state judge ruled today that the ban on same-sex marriage violated the 14th amendment of the US Constitution!!

The decision will be filed tomorrow, and the Attorney General has vowed to appeal.

See Rockin' all good things come in time!

The SCOTUS listed cases they will hear first, and marriage equality was not amoung them.

They will pass on hearing hundreds of cases early next week, although marriage equality is not expected to be one of those passed on. The Court will again meet 10/10, with cases to be heard announced on 10/14.

If a case is passed on, whatever decision came in the appeals court will stand, as with the challange to standing on prop 8 in California.

I'll keep posting anything i hear for anyone interested.

Appreciate the news >
 

Yes Please. Thank You

:LGBTQFlag::usa:

Reuters
By Lawrence Hurley


http://img.s-msn.com/tenant/amp/enti...=f&x=365&y=276© REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/Files A woman walks to the Supreme Court in Washington in this June 19, 2014 file photo.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to decide once and for all whether states can ban gay marriage, a surprise move that will allow gay men and women to marry in five states where same-sex weddings were previously forbidden.
By rejecting appeals in cases involving Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin and Indiana, the court left intact lower-court rulings that had struck down the bans in those states. But the high court's action means there will be no imminent national ruling on the issue, with litigation in states where gay marriage is still banned likely to continue.
"Any time same-sex couples are extended marriage equality is something to celebrate, and today is a joyous day for thousands of couples across America who will immediately feel the impact of today’s Supreme Court action," Chad Griffin, president of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement.
Other states under the jurisdiction of appeals courts that have struck down the bans will also be affected by the Supreme Court's decision, meaning the number of states with gay marriage is likely to quickly jump from 19 to 30. The other states would be North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Wyoming, Kansas and Colorado.
The court could still take a future case, but its move on Monday is likely to send a strong signal to lower court judges that rulings striking down marriage bans are consistent with the U.S. Constitution.
Gay couples in the affected states may seek to get married immediately, with the chance of chaotic scenes in some parts of the country, because the high court's action means that the appeals court's rulings are no longer on hold.
The high court’s decision not to hear the cases was unexpected because most legal experts believed it would want to weigh in on a question of national importance that focuses on whether the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal treatment under the law means gay marriage bans were unlawful.
MESSAGE SENT
The issue could still return to the court, but the message sent by the court in declining to hear the matter would be a boost to gay marriage advocates involved in similar litigation in states that still have bans on the books.
Just over a year ago, the justices ruled 5-4 in June 2013 to strike down a key part of a federal law that had restricted the definition of marriage to heterosexual couples for the purpose of federal government benefits.
That decision in the case U.S. v. Windsor led to a series of court rulings favoring gay marriage in numerous states. In a separate case decided on the same day, the justices sidestepped the broader question of whether state bans violated the U.S. Constitution but allowed gay marriage to move forward in California.
The momentum within America's courts in favor of gay marriage reflects a sea-change in public opinion in the past decade, with polls showing a steady increase in support. Politicians, mostly Democrats but also some notable Republicans, have increasingly voiced their support for ending bans.
It was only as recently as 2004 that Massachusetts became the first state to allow gay marriage following a state court ruling the previous year.
In 17 other states, judges have issued rulings in favor of gay marriage - most of which struck down bans - although the prohibitions have remained intact while litigation continues.
State officials defending their bans counter that the Constitution does not dictate how states should define marriage and that there is no deeply rooted legal tradition that supports a right to gay marriage.
(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham)

Not as good as SCOTUS ruling in favor of marriage equality, but still a great step forward.
Smooches,
Keri

Supreme Court clears way for gay marriages
 

Supreme Court clears way for gay marriages
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...b8a_story.html

The Supreme Court decided not to review same-sex marriage victories in Virginia and four other states, meaning marriages can take place there. The court?s decision came without explanation and puts off a decision about gay marriage nationally. The court decided not to review decisions that struck down prohibitions on same-sex marriage in Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, Indiana and Wisconsin. Marriages had been on hold in those places pending the disposition of those cases.

This means that some will be able to marry immediately, and some will still be waiting; i am not surprised that they made this move. This was also the way they handled the question when it came to Californias prop 8, and although eventually they will step in like they did with civil rights for poc, this is probably all we could have expected at this time.

I find it especially heart warming, that since Utah was in such a rush to bring this issue to the SCOTUS in order to hold up same-sex marriage for quite a long time, they will be amoung the 5 that will have to allow marriage immediately. After the interference from the Mormons on prop 8, i find myself almost giddy.

Thank you to Keri and Tommi for posting so quickly, i just rolled out of bed! Lol

Btw...the 3 districts that had their appeals sent back without review, have a total of 11 states in their circuits which have had their bans overturned. Colorado, north carolina, south carolina, west virgina, Kansas and wyoming are the other 6.

Within a few days there should be a total of 30 states where same-sex marriage will be the law.

More to come!

Oklahoma it is now legal to get married!

Yes it is!

Congratulations to Oklahoma and all the others where it is now legal to marry those we love!

The fight continues for full equality in all things for all people!

I had to throw it out there about my home state lol make sure we got represented.

All county clerks in Colorado have been directed to begin and/or continue issuing licenses. Now the hard part is finding time to go wait in line...

Does anyone have any idea how this will affect other states (like Florida, where I live) whose bans have been found unconstitutional, but where licenses are not being issued pending appeals?

Since SCOTUS has chosen to let pro marriage equality decisions of lower courts stand, could it not be argued that they concur with these decisions, and therefore ALL appeals should be halted and NATIONAL marriage equality established forthwith? (" forthwith" ... ain't that a great word?)

Love you when you're giddy, Ms. T.

Smooches,
Keri

http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/n...esonStairs.jpg




http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/23...9e65940193.jpg


http://www.engaygedweddings.com/imag...der-couple.jpg

We are Beautiful!!!!!!

There is no immediate effect to any State except for those 11 previously mentioned.

But.....that is NOT bad news for Florida. Your AG put all lawsuits on hold pending the outcome of the SCOTUS decision, and now your ban (which was overturned at the Federal level) can be taken by the State to the Federal appeals court for the final say.

Should they concur and overturn the ban, it would be pointless (but possible) for them to appeal to the SCOTUS, who just basically said they are ok with marriage equality. Should the State win, the decision will be appealed to the SCOTUS, who will probably take up the question.

Yes Keri i am still giddy, about as giddy as i was devastated by the news that prop 8 passed

with so much help from the Mormons and others. I grieved for a long time, and I'll admit I believe just a little bit in Karma ;)


***added***

I just read another article which said that your AG, Pam Biondi, has been asked to stop her lawsuits in the wake of the recent SCOTUS action. You know those Republicans however, they are up for re-election soon and have to put on a good show.

Reminder
 

Just because marriage is becoming widely available, do not fool yourselves into thinking you automatically will receive protection from discrimination; Pennsylvannia comes to mind when i make this warning. Since marriage equality was implemented there, there have been several cases of discrimination which is legal. There is a bill giving protections to LGBT peoples going through their system currently that will bring those protections.

In some states we won the war, but are losing the battle. It is ok to marry, but you can be fired from your job or denied housing for doing so, and it is legal. We have another fight looming, hell it's here looking us in the face...the right for everyone to be protected from those who will descriminate because of whom we love.

In the meantime, be careful out there if you have no protections...having the right to marry is a wonderful thing, but having a job and a roof over your head is also important.

My home state... Virginia
 

Same-sex couples marry as the unions become legal in Virginia

http://www.timesdispatch.com/u-s-sup...57520ef04.html


LGBT rights in Virginia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Virginia

Oh happy day!
 

Today the Ninth District Federal Court of appeals ruled that marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho were indeed unconstitutional!

This ruling also paves the way for Montana, Arizona and Alaska which are part of the Ninth District.

Wee hawwwwwww!

These States are on hold for now, as Idaho requested a temporary stay from the SCOTUS and Kennedy granted it. There will be a review by the full panel if the stay is to last beyond this weekend.

I am taking a break from reading stories and posting for the remainder of the day...there is so much anger and rage out there from the haters that i am becoming a bit depressed.

But, I'll be back! Lol

I haven't been reading but I'm sure there are many hateful things circulating out there. I'm currently in Oklahoma and never thought in my lifetime that gay marriage would be legal here. I think of this morning, people were already getting married. I sure hope our republican governor is having a lot of anxiety at this time.. she has it coming for sure!


I will probably never get married in this state anyway. I'll save that for when I can go to Vegas and get married by Elvis.

Well your wish is granted! Judge Kennedy is allowing marriages to proceed in Nevada as only Idaho asked for a stay!

Let Elvis commence marrying the people! Lol

After a day of confusion, Nevada same-sex couples will be allowed to marry as soon as the appeals Judge declares the ban null and void!

All opponents in the State have dropped their appeals.

Idaho
 

The stay was lifted by the SCOTUS and same-sex marriage has begun in Idaho.

Yay Idaho!!

I was in the hospital all of yesterday and today, so apologies for getting this posted late.

Thanks for posting this update Ms T. Hope you are OK and you were not in the hospital for anything too serious.

Smooches,
Keri

Alaska
 

The Alaska ban on same-sex marriage fell yesterday, and marriages will begin today.

Whoop whoop!

Soon the need for this thread will be over, and i for one am eternally grateful, as i never thought i would see this in my lifetime.

BUT...as was pointed out earlier, the fight ramps up full force for discrimination protection for our brothers and sisters. Folks, if we can get married but still lose our homes or jobs for being who we are, what have we really gained?

North Carolina
 

Same-sex marriage has begun today in North Carolina!

Yayyyyyyyyyy!

It looks like i got a bit ahead of myself! Marriages will begin in Idaho on Wednesday, as the Ninth Circuit Court finally lifted their stay today.

My bad.:hangloose:

I'm not sure whether to laugh, or give a WTF. :|

The Texas Attorney General had this to say, and i paraphrase:

"Our same-sex marriage ban deters out of wedlock childbirth"

This is the same man who said during the recent Texas Governor's debate:

" I am against same-sex marriage because my wife and i have been married 33 years."

Where do they find these people?

Alaska's 1st known gay marriage in Arctic town

http://static-news.s-msn.com/sc/9b/e151e5.gif http://img.s-msn.com/tenant/amp/enti...&o=t&l=f&f=png Associated Press
MARK THIESSEN5 hrs ago



http://img.s-msn.com/tenant/amp/enti...=f&x=295&y=835© Mark Thiessen/AP Photo Supporters of same-sex marriage hold signs during a news conference on Oct. 10, 2014, outside the federal courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska. ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A remote outpost on Alaska's Arctic Coast where people are used to doing their own thing has applied that independent streak to gay marriage.
A magistrate in Barrow, Alaska — the nation's northernmost community, and one that cannot be reached by road — has performed what is believed to be the state's first gay marriage ceremony days ahead of schedule after a federal judge struck down the state's ban. Couples lined up statewide Monday to apply for marriage licenses, beginning the clock on a mandatory three-day wait until ceremonies could be held.
For Kristine Hilderbrand, 30, and Sarah Ellis, 34, it wasn't about being first when they sought and received a waiver to the three-day wait from Magistrate Mary Treiber.
Monday just fit their schedules better.
After completing their marriage license Monday morning, they began to check on available dates for a courthouse ceremony. They then tried to mesh those with their schedules and those of families and friends.
Because Monday was Columbus Day, a federal holiday, members of Ellis' family on the East Coast were able to call into the court's sophisticated teleconference system used for lawyers and defendants spread out over the far-flung judicial district when Treiber conducted the marriage ceremony late Monday afternoon.
Hilderbrand's sister was her maid-of-honor, and her father and nephew also attended. She said Ellis' brother from the Boston area used his thickest New England accent to crack up the room on the speaker phone when he said, "It's wicked awesome that you guys got married."
Alaska helped touch off a national debate 15 years ago with a ban on same-sex unions.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess ruled Sunday that the ban violated the due process and equal protection guarantees of the U.S. Constitution. His ruling came over the objection of gay-marriage opponents who say states should decide the issue, not courts.
Burgess on Tuesday denied the state's request for a stay. Alaska officials plan to appeal his Sunday ruling to the 9th Circuit Court, and could also seek a stay from the appeals court, even though it has allowed gay marriages to go forward in other states within its jurisdiction.
Cori Mills, a spokeswoman for the Alaska attorney general's office, said in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the state has not made a final decision yet whether to ask the 9th Circuit for the stay.
Gay couples married outside Alaska or in ceremonies within the state that didn't carry legal standing were among those seeking licenses.
Barrow offered a unusual small-town setting for Hilderbrand and Ellis' wedding. Barrow has about 4,600 people and is 725 miles north of Anchorage. Many residents lead a subsistence lifestyle, and the landing of three bowhead whales last week provided the passionate discussion, not gay marriage or politics.
"I think the scene is different up here," said Hilderbrand, a third-generation Alaskan who was born in Barrow. Residents accept people for who they are, she said.
"The fact that we're in a relationship together and have been for the last six years in this town, people have just been very accepting and it is just what it is," Hilderbrand said. "It's been such a non-issue here for so long that we were really more focused on getting married and getting to spend the rest of our lives together. We really weren't concerned about all the politics."
What did matter to her, though, was being able to marry in Alaska.
"I didn't want to go someplace else and be married and then come home and have it be a meaningless piece of paper," she said.
Treiber followed this wedding by marrying another lesbian couple at the courthouse. Hilderbrand and Ellis stayed to celebrate the marriage of their friends.
Kelly Cahoon, 28, and Bernice Oyagak, 27, petitioned Treiber for a waiver because they were leaving Barrow for Anchorage on Monday night, and they didn't want to marry in the state's largest city, the Alaska Dispatch News reported.
"It was really kind of special to be able to share the day with them," Hilderbrand said.

I'm not a big Bible person, but I wondered about the sign in the post above (on the right, which shows a bible reference) . I thought it might be an "anti same sex marriage" quote. Its not.
Smooches,
Keri

1 Corinthians 13 New International Version (NIV)
13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Indeed, the greatest of these is love. :rainbowAfro:

I keep trying to get women pregnant out of wedlock and it's not working! I never thought to blame the Texas same-sex marriage ban...

If they lift that ban though... watch out world!

Texas legislature never cease to amaze me.