This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/20/pennsylvania-ban-gay-marriage-struck-down

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Pennsylvania's gay marriage ban struck down by federal judge Pennsylvania's gay marriage ban struck down by federal judge
(35 minutes later)
Same-sex couples can now marry in all north-eastern US states after a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania's ban on Tuesday, a day after a similar law was overturned in Oregon.Same-sex couples can now marry in all north-eastern US states after a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania's ban on Tuesday, a day after a similar law was overturned in Oregon.
The Pennsylvania ruling marks the latest victory in what has been a spectacular year for marriage equality. The ruling is the 14th consecutive legal win for gay marriage advocates since the US supreme court's Windsor decision in June 2013 that found part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (Doma) unconstitutional.The Pennsylvania ruling marks the latest victory in what has been a spectacular year for marriage equality. The ruling is the 14th consecutive legal win for gay marriage advocates since the US supreme court's Windsor decision in June 2013 that found part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (Doma) unconstitutional.
US district judge John Jones wrote in his ruling: "That same-sex marriage causes discomfort in some does not make its prohibition constitutional. Nor can past tradition trump the bedrock constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection. Were that not so, ours would still be a racially segregated nation according to the now rightfully discarded doctrine of 'separate but equal'."US district judge John Jones wrote in his ruling: "That same-sex marriage causes discomfort in some does not make its prohibition constitutional. Nor can past tradition trump the bedrock constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection. Were that not so, ours would still be a racially segregated nation according to the now rightfully discarded doctrine of 'separate but equal'."
Jones concludes: "We are better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them in the ash heap of history."Jones concludes: "We are better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them in the ash heap of history."
The Pennsylvania ruling does not include a stay pending appeal – which would have placed a hold on the ruling in the event of an appeal by the governor's office. However, there is a mandatory three-day waiting period for all weddings in the state. The Pennsylvania ruling did not include a stay pending appeal – which would have placed a hold on the ruling in the event of an appeal by the governor's office. Despite initial reports that some couples had found sympathetic judges to waive the waiting period, the ACLU said Tuesday evening no couples had been married yet.
The Pennsylvania lawsuit was filed in July by civil rights lawyers on behalf of several gay couples in the state. The law was defended by the state's governor, Republican Tom Corbett; the state's attorney general Kathleen Kane declined to defend it, saying she believes the law is unconstitutional. The ruling is expected to be appealed. The lawsuit was filed in July by the ACLU on behalf of several gay couples in the state. The law was defended by the state's governor, Republican Tom Corbett; the state's attorney general Kathleen Kane declined to defend it, saying she believes the law is unconstitutional. The ruling is expected to be appealed.
Including Tuesday's ruling, 19 states and the District of Columbia permit same-sex couples to wed – and an estimated 44% of the US population lives in a state that allows same-sex couples to marry.Including Tuesday's ruling, 19 states and the District of Columbia permit same-sex couples to wed – and an estimated 44% of the US population lives in a state that allows same-sex couples to marry.
In the past few months, judges in Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia and other states have overturned bans on same-sex, striking down the states' laws as unconstitutional.In the past few months, judges in Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia and other states have overturned bans on same-sex, striking down the states' laws as unconstitutional.
Most recently, on Monday, a judge in Oregon overturned the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. Oregon couples began applying for marriage licenses immediately following the ruling, which is not expected to be challenged as the state refused to defend the ban and said it would not appeal. On the same day, a federal judge in Utah ordered that the state must respect more than 1,000 marriages issued during the weeks-long period before the US supreme court intervened and issued an emergency stay.Most recently, on Monday, a judge in Oregon overturned the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. Oregon couples began applying for marriage licenses immediately following the ruling, which is not expected to be challenged as the state refused to defend the ban and said it would not appeal. On the same day, a federal judge in Utah ordered that the state must respect more than 1,000 marriages issued during the weeks-long period before the US supreme court intervened and issued an emergency stay.
Last week, an Arkansas judge threw out that state's ban days after a judge did the same in Idaho. Both states, however, have temporarily halted issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples amid legal wrangling. Judges have ordered Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.Last week, an Arkansas judge threw out that state's ban days after a judge did the same in Idaho. Both states, however, have temporarily halted issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples amid legal wrangling. Judges have ordered Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.
Freedom to Marry, a campaign promoting marriage equality, estimates that 70 more cases are currently pending in state and federal courts in more than 30 states and territories across country.Freedom to Marry, a campaign promoting marriage equality, estimates that 70 more cases are currently pending in state and federal courts in more than 30 states and territories across country.
• This story was updated on 20 May after the ACLU corrected its original statement that some couples had been wed on Tuesday. While a sympathetic judge may waive the three-day waiting period, none had immediately done so.