A federal judge struck down Utah’s same-sex marriage ban on Friday, saying the law was unconstitutional.
BREAKING: Federal judge strikes down Utah's same-sex marriage ban, saying it is unconstitutional.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 20, 2013
In the best explanation ever, the judge said it like it is — without all the legal jargon.
“The state’s current laws deny its gay and lesbian citizens their fundamental right to marry and, in so doing, demean the dignity of these same-sex couples for no rational reason,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby. “Accordingly, the court finds that these laws are unconstitutional.”
Shelby says the state — home of The Church of Latter-Days Saints and this very hot queer lady— did not support its claims that banning same-sex marriage would be in the state’s best interest for “responsible procreation” and the “optimal mode of child-rearing.”
This news comes a day after New Mexico became the 17th state and the District of Columbia to allow same-sex marriage. Justice Edward Chavez ruled that banning same-sex marriage “violates the equality demanded by the equal protection clause of the New Mexico Constitution.”
Before the ruling, 33 counties in New Mexico had already been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. New Mexico’s law was ambiguous and didn’t explicitly say that same-sex marriages was legal or illegal before the ruling. Without any concrete legislation at the state level, county clerks and judges grew tired of waiting and began to issue licenses in August. New Mexico’s Supreme Court decided to settle this matter with this ruling.
That’s it folks, if Utah — a state that only allows liquor of max 4% (queer Utahians will have WILD weddings, for sure) — can do it, the rest of the United States can too. Maybe Texas? I mean, it touches with New Mexico which touches with Utah, which touches me, because I live in Texas. Just saying. Well, whatever the case, congrats to all the queers and their cats in those states!