Breaking: Wyoming Will Not Appeal Federal Court Ruling – Marriage Begins Today
The
State of Wyoming has just announced it will not appeal last week's
federal district court ruling, and same-sex couples can begin marrying
Tuesday.
On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl struck down Wyoming's ban on same-sex marriage as
unconstitutional. Because the judge placed a stay on his ruling pending
appeal, couples did not immediately begin filing for licenses. Late
Friday, Republican Wyoming Governor Matt Mead notified the court he
would not appeal the ruling.
Today, the court removed its stay and tomorrow morning same-sex couples can begin marrying.
“Judge
Skavdahl’s opinion and order make clear that the decisions in Utah and
Oklahoma have left Wyoming with few legal options,” said Attorney
General Peter K. Michael, KGWN reports.
“After reviewing the law and the Judge’s decision that binding
precedent requires recognition of samesex [sic] marriage, I have
concluded that further legal process will result in delay but not a
different result.”
“We
are thrilled that the State of Wyoming will truly live up to its
promise as the Equality State and that same-sex couples and their
families will no longer live with the indignity of injustice that has
caused so much harm to so many people over the years, Wyoming Equality
Executive Director Jeran Artery said in a statement. "This is a great
day, and we are grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make it
possible."
National Center for Lesbian Rights Senior Attorney Christopher F. Stoll also weighed in.
“Starting
tomorrow, all Wyoming families will finally be able to share in the
security and protection that marriage provides," Stoll added. "Wyoming’s
same-sex couples will benefit in countless ways from having their
relationships recognized and respected by the state, and their children
will have the security of growing up with parents who are married. We
thank the Wyoming couples who courageously stood up to bring this case
so that all Wyoming families can enjoy the freedom to marry."
Freedom to Marry notes Judge
Skavdahl's "ruling strikes down Wyoming’s ban on marriage for same-sex
couples. It comes just over two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court
allowed the freedom to marry to take effect immediately in 5 different
states and cleared the way for marriage in an additional 6, including
Wyoming."
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