Oklahoma judge: Gay marriage law unconstitutional
By JOSE DELREAL | 1/14/14 6:01 PM EST
Oklahoma’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge on Tuesday.
The ruling is pending an appeal, which means no same-sex marriage licenses will immediately be issued in the state, but it did open a process that could eventually lead to legal gay marriage in the state.
In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Terence Kern held that the state’s constitutional amendment limiting marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The Human Rights campaign, the country’s largest gay-rights organization, lauded the decision, calling it a victory for “fundamental equality.”
“Judge Kern has come to the conclusion that so many have before him — that the fundamental equality of lesbian and gay couples is guaranteed by the United States Constitution,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “With last year’s historic victories at the Supreme Court guiding the way, it is clear that we are on a path to full and equal citizenship for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.”
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/oklahoma-judge-gay-marriage-law-unconstitutional-102176.html?hp=r10
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