Today U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl ruled against Wyoming’s law banning marriage equality for same-sex couples. In Guzzo v. Mead, the National Center for Lesbian Rights sued the state on behalf of Wyoming Equality and four same-sex couples arguing that Wyoming’s ban on marriage equality violates the U.S. Constitution. Judge Skavdahl granted a temporary stay and the ruling will not go into effect until October 23 or until state government officials say they are not appealing the decision. In his ruling, Judge Skavdahl wrote, “The court understands that every day where same-sex couples are denied their constitutional rights is another day filled with irreparable harm.”
During a debate Thursday, Oct. 16, Wyoming’s Gov. Matt Meade said that the state should not appeal the district court’s decision if the ban is struck down.
Earlier today, U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick ruled against Arizona’s constitutional amendment banning marriage equality. In Connolly v. Jeanes, brought by private counsel, and Majors v. Horne, brought by Lambda Legal, on behalf of same-sex couples, Judge Sedwick rejected Arizona’s ban on marriage equality saying it violated the U.S. Constitution. Judge Sedwick was nominated by President George H.W. Bush.
Additionally, today the Supreme court denied a request for a stay on marriage equality in Alaska.
“According to today’s district court ruling and numerous others over the last year, there is no justifiable reason to keep these discriminatory marriage bans on the books,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Legal Director Sarah Warbelow. “The truth is, laws prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying serve no purpose other than to harm Americans who simply want to protect and provide for themselves and their families. Ultimately the U.S. Constitution does not allow states to continue discriminating against committed and loving gay and lesbian couples.”
With today’s decisions, same-sex couples will soon be able to marry in 32 states and Washington, DC, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
