When a New Mexico court ruled on Thursday that same - sex marriage was permitted under state law, the ruling was widely anticipated: there never had been any state law explicitly prohibiting it, and county clerks have been issuing marriage licences for months. But a ruling yesterday overturning a constitutional ban in Utah, one of the most conservative states in the US, was a major surprise.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan recently conceded that gay marriage is “inevitable”. If marriage equality can come to Utah of all places, as quickly as this, can anyone seriously disagree with him? In the week before Christmas, on successive days American gay men and lesbians have received two major gifts.
Gay Couples Wed in Utah After Judge Overturns Ban
Elisa Noel rushed to the county clerk’s office with her partner immediately after learning that a federal judge overturned Utah’s ban on gay marriage. They waited in line for a wedding license and were married in an impromptu ceremony punctuated with Noel giving the officiant a high-five.
“I can’t believe this is Utah,” Noel said moments after a ceremony that took place about 3 miles from the headquarters of the Mormon church.
Others had a similar reaction after a ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby that declared Utah’s voter-approved ban on gay marriage unconstitutional. The recent appointee by President Barack Obama said the ban violates the constitutional rights of gay couples and ruled Utah failed to show that allowing same-sex marriages would affect opposite-sex marriages in any way.
The ruling prompted a frenzy of activity by lawyers and gay couples. The Republican governor blasted the ruling as going against the will of the people. Gay couples rushed to the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office en masse to secure marriage licenses, waiting in line by the dozens and getting married on the spot by the mayor and ministers.
It was a jubilant affair as cheers broke out after ceremonies were completed. A gay bar in Salt Lake quickly made plans for a Friday night party to mark the event. Some made plans to march on the capitol Monday.
via - ABC News.
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Who would have that Utah - land of the Mormons - that a truly idiotic challenge to Marriage Equality - essentially thrown out as ridiculous - that a Federal Judge would rule that 14th US Constitutional rights were violated. IF Utah is foolish enough (or it is) to appeal to the US Supreme Court - the ruling if upholding the Federal Courts stance - would sweep away ALL states bans of Marriage Equality. Thank you Utah !