SCOTUS
 

As expected, the SCOTUS did not indicate any of their cases for further hearing yesterday, so Monday will be the earliest possible notice. Should there be no decision Monday, the Judges will review additional cases next Friday.

Pins and needles folks, pins and needles!

I was so busy I totally missed this! Thanks for sharing ya'll! I will be watching the news more closely this week!

Thanks for the continued updating.

Ireland
 

The Irish Government is putting the issue of same-sex marriage on the ballot for vote this coming May. According to recent polls, nearly 70% of citizens approve of marriage equality.

Canada, England and Scotland currently have marriage equality, while some of the other commonwealth countries like Ireland and Austraila do not.

SCOTUS news
 

The Supreme Court justices refused to hear the Louisiana case, and set the cases for Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tenessee to be reviewed this next Friday the 16th.

The Plantiffs in the Louisiana case had asked the SCOTUS to hear the case before the appeals court for that district had a chance to rule; if you remember, that case was heard by the appeals court this past Friday along with those of Texas and Mississippi.

The SCOTUS has declined to interfer in the Louisiana case while it is still under review by the lower appeals court. The remainder of the cases being reviewed have already been heard under appeal, and have had thier bans upheld by the appeals court for the 6th district.

South Dakota
 

South Dakota's same-sex marriage ban was struck down today by the lower Federal Court, but the decision was immediately stayed until all appeals by the State have been considered.

Let's hope the State does the right thing and does not appeal.

Pffffft, right!

Oh Nooooooo!!!!

In my opinion, I highly doubt Texas will allow same sex marriage, I live here and have lived here for years, I have seen how much society and Texas government are anti GLBT.

But I do hope something does happen and soon.

The throw back without review for Louisiana was expected (at least by me), because the plantiffs tried to bypass the correct steps and go directly to the supreme court.

The review scheduled for this Friday is the important next step, as it could go two ways.

1. Since the bans for Michigan, Ohio, Kentucy and Tennesse were kept in place by the lower courts, and 36 other states HAVE marriage equality, the Justices can decide to hear the cases and possibly rule in the favor of equality.

OR......

2. The Justices can decide that the bans will stay in place for those 4 states, causing mass confusion to ensue.

The cases from last Friday at the Appeals court level (Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) have been heard and will be ruled on any time in the next few months.

This issue is going to drag on a bit, but will hopefully be somewhat resolved before the end of



the current SCOTUS term which ends in June.

Just to clarify, the vote in May is in the independent Republic of Ireland.

In Northern Ireland, a country inside the United Kingdom, there is a ban on same sex marriage. However, the U.K. recognizes same sex marriage. A same sex couple who were married in England but have since relocated to Northern Ireland is expected to file a challenge to the ban in the high court this week.

The UK marriage act of 2013 covered ONLY England and Wales, with Scotland having marriage equality on 1/1/15.

Canada already has marriage equality, while Austrailia and Ireland do not. I should have been more specific when speaking about Ireland, as you are correct about the "Republic of Ireland" being the country voting this May.

Thank you for the clarification.

Good news!

The SCOTUS will hear the cases for same-sex marriage in April, and will decide by the end of their term in June!

I'm on my phone, so more later.(f)

SCOTUS
 

The Justices said they will answer two questions:

1. Do all States have to allow same -sex marriage based on the US Constitution.

2. Do all States have to honor marriages performed in other States and Countries.

Question 1 has come before the court before, and same-sex marriages were not guaranteed by the US Constitution...but we are in a different time, and 36 States now have equality. It is not a slam dunk folks, but i do have hope that the question will be decided in the favor of equality.

I know that the fight to deny all other rights to us will ramp up, every day i read about states trying to write descrimination into law, and it saddens me that the SCOTUS will probably have to decide that question at some other time.

I rather suspect that the Supreme Court will rule that states have to honor same-sex marriages performed in other states. Otherwise, they are affirming that the Legislature has authority to simply pass a bill, and negate portions of the Constitution. That, basically, is what DOMA did in its Section 3 ( I think that I am naming the correct section, but could be wrong.). Basically, DOMA attempted to negate part of the 14th Amendment, which guaranteed equal protection, if I am not mistaken.

Good point Nadeest!

UK same-sex Pagan Wedding
 

The UK's first same-sex Pagan wedding took place last Sunday in Scotland! The couple has been together for 12 years, and are Hedge Witches.

The Pagan Federation in Scotland has been able to legally marry hetro-sexual couples since 2005, and with new laws for same-sex marriage taking place on 1/1/15, have the right to marry all loving couples.

Wtg Scotland!

Alabama
 

The ban on same-sex marriage was overturned by a Federal judge today in Alabama, with the decision not immediately stayed. The AG said the request for a stay will be filed ASAP.

Yayyyyyyy Alabama!

Not that I am even thinking of marriage but I am a bit nervous about the SCOTUS decision. I hope they don't rule that we are, somehow, second class citizens.

What a lovely story!

Even though there have been HUGE strides in marriage equality, i am a bit nervous myself!

So many years of being second class, too many years of mob rule...it's hard to believe we could finally get marriage equality across the country.

As expected, a stay of 14 days was granted today. The stay will allow the State time to appeal the decision to the Federal appeals court.

Chile
 

Chile's same-sex civil unions bill passed its first hurdle today, and with two more votes to be taken appears scheduled to pass without incident.

Chile, like many countries, takes religion out of legal marriages; all couples marry civially, and then have an additional wedding in whichever church/venue they choose.

Wtg Chile!

Alabama
 

In a surprising move today, the Federal Judge who put the stay in place after publishing her decision to allow same-sex marriage, went on the record with the news that at the end of the 2 week period she WILL NOT extend the stay while the state appeals.

The State has the option of filing with the appeals court for a stay, and should that be denied, filing with the SCOTUS. The SCOTUS has begun to deny all requests for stays, so it should be a waste of time and tax money.

France
 

France's highest court ruled today that a french national and a Moroccan citizen could be married. Prior to this ruling, France would only marry a couple where one was not a citizen, if same-sex marriage was legal in both countries.

What a huge step for love!

Alabama
 

The Federal Appeals court refused to extend the stay, and same-sex marriages are set to begin 2/9. The AG of Alabama filed an immediate request for the SCOTUS to impose a stay on the decision, until the state can file an appeal with the SCOTUS. Based on past decisions, the SCOTUS will probably deny the motion.

Stay tuned!

8th district court of appeals
 

The 8th district court of appeals has agreed to hear appeals from the states of Missouri, Arkansas and South Dakota. The three states have had their same-sex marriage bans overturned, and are appealing the decision.

What a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Alabama
 

The SCOTUS delined to continue the stay, and same-sex marriages began today in Alabama!

The head judge of the Alabama Supreme Court is fighting the ruling by telling judges and clerks not to issue licenses...at this time only 4 counties are issuing licenses against his order. In 2003, the same judge was removed from office for refusing to remove a washing machine size monument to the Ten Commandments from the courthouse.

Correction: There are 44 out of 67 counties refusing to issue licenses, 8 counties that cover approx 2 million people ARE issuing licenses, and the other 5 are issuing applications, but are holding off licenses because of the confusion with the state supreme court.

Texas
 

A Travis County probate judge just ruled that the ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

The case was brought forth by a woman who lost her long time partner of 7 years just last year, and wanted to have their relationship legitimized as a common-law marriage for survivorship purposes.

The Clerk of the Court has declined to issue same-sex marriage licenses due to the case currently under consideration by the 5th circuit court of appeals.

Here's a link to the News About the Texas Judge Ruling Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional ............. LINK

^^ my sister sent me that link this afternoon... it's a small step, but one in the right direction. Go Austin!

another texas link
 

1st Austin Gay marriage performed
 

Travis County clerk issues first legal gay marriage license in Texas
1:07 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 | Filed in: News
COMMENTS 102


Austin American Statesman Today 02/19/15


Two Austin women were legally married Thursday morning after a Travis County judge ordered the county clerk to issue a marriage license.

Sarah Goodfriend and Suzanne Bryant, together almost 31 years, said their vows before Rabbi Kerry Baker while standing in front of the Travis County Clerk’s Office sign on Airport Boulevard.




LINK to article in newspaper

I just read the story, and i'm having a hard time typing through my tears! One of the couple has Ovarian cancer, which was the reason behind the granting of the license by a Judge.

Some day we will no longer have to beg for equality, and i hope it comes before others are harmed by the bans in place.

Texas
 

The Texas Supreme Court just stepped in and put a stay on all further marriages in Travis county until all appeals have been heard.

The marriage performed earlier today is still valid, but the Attorney General says he is looking for a way to invalidate the marriage.

Asshat

He's an ASS for sure. I didn't vote for his sorry Republican ass either. Figures he'd try to invalidate it somehow, but I don't think that's going to work.

Alabama
 

Alabama Supreme Court Judge Murdoch has said, that should the Supreme Court decide to make marriage equality the law of the land, he will try to convince the ASC to end ALL marriages in that state.

Do they lie awake at night thinking this shit up?

The SCOTUS would then need to decide if marriage was a fundamental right under the US Constitution, and if so Alabama would have to comply.

Finland
 

The President of Finland signed marriage equality into law this week! However, due to Legislative changes that need to occur, marriages will not begin until 2017.

Way to go Finland!:hangloose:

Alabama
 

An open records request (emails, telephone records, etc...) has been filed against head Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore by the HRC. The premise is that Roy Moore headed up the lawsuit against marriage equality in the state of Alabama, which is a HUGE no-no for a judge.

I can't link, but if you want to read more on this story, go to LGBTQnation.com