Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Federal Judge Strikes Down Kansas' Gay Marriage Ban

A federal judge on Tuesday struck down Kansas' ban on gay marriage as unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree ruled in favor of two gay couples represented by the ACLU of Kansas who wish to marry in Kansas but were denied a marriage license: Kail Marie and Michelle Brown of Lecompton, together 20 years; and Kerry Wilks and Donna DiTrani of Wichita, together 5 years.

“The Court concludes that Kansas' same-sex marriage ban violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution,” Crabtree wrote in his 38-page ruling.
Crabtree placed his ruling on hold until Tuesday, November 11 at 5 PM. However, the state could begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples before that date if the state decides it won't appeal the decision.
Kansas is the lone state resisting two separate Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals rulings striking down gay marriage bans in Oklahoma and Utah. The court's rulings took effect last month after the Supreme Court refused to hear appeals in the cases.

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