Quick Fact: Utah - Marriage Equality State #17 1/2?

Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby issued a 53 page ruling saying the constitutional amendment passed by Utah voters in 2004 violates gay and lesbian couples' rights to equal protection under the U.S. Constitution's 14th amendment.  He said that the state had failed to show that opposite sex marriage would be affected in any way by allowing same sex marriages.

In his ruling, he said, "In the absence of such evidence, the State's unsupported fears and speculations are insufficient to justify the State's refusal to dignify the family relationships of its gay and lesbian citizens."

Many county clerks immediately began issuing same sex marriage licenses and weddings were taking place even as Utah's Governor Gary Herbert began working with the Attorney General's office on an emergency stay.  

"I am very disappointed an activist federal judge is attempting to override the will of the people of Utah.  I am working with my legal counsel and the acting attorney general to determine the best course to defend traditional marriage within the borders of Utah," the Governor said.

The county clerk's office in Provo refused to issue same sex marriage licenses, saying they were waiting for word from the Attorney General's office. A spokesman there said it would take a couple of days for a request for an emergency stay to be reviewed.

Watching these states' prejudiced stands on same sex marriage being overturned one after the other makes me so happy!