(Photo: sushiesque/Flickr/Common Cause)
Jul 01, 2014
U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn struck down Kentucky's ban on gay marriage on Tuesday, stating that it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
However, the ruling was temporarily put on hold until it is seen by the Sixth Circuit court, which will hear appeals on August 6.
"Assuring equal protection for same-sex couples does not diminish the freedom of others to any degree," Heybrun wrote in his decision. "Thus, same-sex couples' right to marry seems to be a uniquely 'free' constitutional right. Hopefully, even those opposed to or uncertain about same-sex marriage will see it that way in the future."
This is the second marriage equality decision that Heyburn has made issued this year. In February, he ruled that Kentucky was required to recognize same-sex couples who had legally married in other states.
Although the ruling is stayed pending appeal, equal rights advocates see the decision as a victory. "Today's marriage ruling makes clear that Kentucky should not be denying committed and loving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry," said Sarah Warbelow, legal director of Human Rights Campaign.
There are more than 70 court cases challenging gay marriage bans in the United States and Puerto Rico. None has been upheld by a federal appeals court.
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn struck down Kentucky's ban on gay marriage on Tuesday, stating that it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
However, the ruling was temporarily put on hold until it is seen by the Sixth Circuit court, which will hear appeals on August 6.
"Assuring equal protection for same-sex couples does not diminish the freedom of others to any degree," Heybrun wrote in his decision. "Thus, same-sex couples' right to marry seems to be a uniquely 'free' constitutional right. Hopefully, even those opposed to or uncertain about same-sex marriage will see it that way in the future."
This is the second marriage equality decision that Heyburn has made issued this year. In February, he ruled that Kentucky was required to recognize same-sex couples who had legally married in other states.
Although the ruling is stayed pending appeal, equal rights advocates see the decision as a victory. "Today's marriage ruling makes clear that Kentucky should not be denying committed and loving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry," said Sarah Warbelow, legal director of Human Rights Campaign.
There are more than 70 court cases challenging gay marriage bans in the United States and Puerto Rico. None has been upheld by a federal appeals court.
Nadia Prupis
Nadia Prupis is a former Common Dreams staff writer. She wrote on media policy for Truthout.org and has been published in New America Media and AlterNet. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in English in 2008.
U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn struck down Kentucky's ban on gay marriage on Tuesday, stating that it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
However, the ruling was temporarily put on hold until it is seen by the Sixth Circuit court, which will hear appeals on August 6.
"Assuring equal protection for same-sex couples does not diminish the freedom of others to any degree," Heybrun wrote in his decision. "Thus, same-sex couples' right to marry seems to be a uniquely 'free' constitutional right. Hopefully, even those opposed to or uncertain about same-sex marriage will see it that way in the future."
This is the second marriage equality decision that Heyburn has made issued this year. In February, he ruled that Kentucky was required to recognize same-sex couples who had legally married in other states.
Although the ruling is stayed pending appeal, equal rights advocates see the decision as a victory. "Today's marriage ruling makes clear that Kentucky should not be denying committed and loving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry," said Sarah Warbelow, legal director of Human Rights Campaign.
There are more than 70 court cases challenging gay marriage bans in the United States and Puerto Rico. None has been upheld by a federal appeals court.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.