Category Archives: Poltics

You know when West Virginia says “I do” to same sex marriage that marriage equality will quickly become the law of the land.  Hat tip to one of my good friend and bloggah, Dr. J who writes, You Think You Know, for bringing it to my attention in his most recent post.

After W.VA’s Attorney General announced that his office will no longer fight a court challenge on the state’s ban on same-sex marriages, the current governor, Earl Ray, had this to add,

“I do not plan to take any actions that would seek to overturn the courts’ decisions. West Virginia will uphold the law according to these rulings, and I have directed state agencies to take appropriate action to make that possible. Our state is known for its kindness and hospitality to residents and visitors alike. I encourage all West Virginians—regardless of their personal beliefs—to uphold our statewide tradition of treating one another with dignity and respect.”

Earlier this week the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) identified the most anti-equality elected officials in the US Congress.  Ratings are based on past voting records, their introduction and co-sponsorship of anti-LGBT legislation, and their public statements.

Any wonder why I self-identify as a Democrat? While both parties are represented, this list is certainly weighted in favor of the Republican Party.  I revile this party as a socially divisive, reactionary group that propagates hateful, xenophobic, misogynistic and homophobic legislation. While there are certainly exceptions, until there is a significant change in rhetoric and leadership, I can’t fathom supporting a national candidate who runs as a Republican. 

Marriage Equality Update from NYT: The Supreme Court on Monday denied review in all five pending same-sex marriage cases, clearing the way for such marriages to proceed in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The move was a major surprise and suggests that the justices are not going to intercede in the wave of decisions in favor of same-sex marriage at least until a federal appeals court upholds a state ban.

Today a federal appeals court panel struck down Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage.  The decision is significant because it also means similar marriage bans in North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia (states also part of the 4th Circuit) are considered unconstitutional.

Today’s ruling also impacts NC, SC and W VA.

This marks the second time an appellate-level court has ruled on state marriage bans and it sets the stage for a showdown in the US Supreme Court to consider state-level laws.

More information here.

Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the January 2014 decision from U.S. District Judge Kern in Bishop v. Smith that Oklahoma’s constitutional amendment that forbids same-sex marriages is unconstitutional.

The state of Oklahoma now has the right to appeal before the full bench of the Tenth Circuit or it can do as the State of Utah did for the Kitchen case few weeks ago and appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Either way, an appeal of some sort is to be expected but this remains great news for marriage equality advocates. Oklahoma is one of America’s most conservative states and if marriage equality is legal here – it can and will be legal everywhere (and quickly too).

Read more about this here.