I found myself kind of burned out from all of these "Gay Marriage Updates Across the Nation" posts. As a result, I'm really behind the times. But there have been a few different developments in recent weeks that I really shouldn't ignore. Check out the following links (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here) for past updates:
New Mexico: Back in March 2013, several gay and lesbian couples filed a lawsuit against the state of New Mexico so that they can legally marry. New Mexico's state constitution maintains a gender neutral definition of marriage and neither recognizes nor prohibits recognition of same-sex marriages. These couples are being recognized by the New Mexico chapter of the ACLU and their motion has been joined by the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Earlier this week, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King informed the New Mexico Supreme Court that he believes it is unconstitutional to prohibit gay couples from marrying. “New Mexico's guarantee of equal protection to its citizens demands that same-sex couples be permitted to enjoy the benefits of marriage in the same way and to the same extent as other New Mexico citizens." That said, King requested that the New Mexico Supreme Court deny the couples' request because he believes that the lawsuit was improperly filed. In other words, they should have started their lawsuit with a lower court and worked their way up to the Supreme Court.
Pennsylvania: Earlier this month, the ACLU filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina to invalidate constitutional amendments prohibiting recognition of same-sex marriages in those states. Here is the reason I've highlighted Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced two weeks ago that she cannot and will not defend her state's ban on gay marriage.
Then earlier this week, officials in Montgomery County, PA, decided to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The first married pair of lesbians in Pennsylvania is Alicia Terrizzi and Loreen Bloodgood of Pottstown, PA, and the second married pairs of lesbians is Sasha Ballen and Diana Spagnuolo of Wynnewood, PA. These marriages will likely be challenged by the state of Pennsylvania. The two couples are being represented by the ACLU.
Additionally... There have been major developments in Ohio when it comes to same-sex marriage, but I really want to write up an article specific to that situation.
New Mexico: Back in March 2013, several gay and lesbian couples filed a lawsuit against the state of New Mexico so that they can legally marry. New Mexico's state constitution maintains a gender neutral definition of marriage and neither recognizes nor prohibits recognition of same-sex marriages. These couples are being recognized by the New Mexico chapter of the ACLU and their motion has been joined by the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Earlier this week, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King informed the New Mexico Supreme Court that he believes it is unconstitutional to prohibit gay couples from marrying. “New Mexico's guarantee of equal protection to its citizens demands that same-sex couples be permitted to enjoy the benefits of marriage in the same way and to the same extent as other New Mexico citizens." That said, King requested that the New Mexico Supreme Court deny the couples' request because he believes that the lawsuit was improperly filed. In other words, they should have started their lawsuit with a lower court and worked their way up to the Supreme Court.
Pennsylvania: Earlier this month, the ACLU filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina to invalidate constitutional amendments prohibiting recognition of same-sex marriages in those states. Here is the reason I've highlighted Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced two weeks ago that she cannot and will not defend her state's ban on gay marriage.
Then earlier this week, officials in Montgomery County, PA, decided to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The first married pair of lesbians in Pennsylvania is Alicia Terrizzi and Loreen Bloodgood of Pottstown, PA, and the second married pairs of lesbians is Sasha Ballen and Diana Spagnuolo of Wynnewood, PA. These marriages will likely be challenged by the state of Pennsylvania. The two couples are being represented by the ACLU.
Additionally... There have been major developments in Ohio when it comes to same-sex marriage, but I really want to write up an article specific to that situation.