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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