As same-sex marriage cases across the country continue to gain momentum and put states on the right side of history, one of the most intriguing rulings played out this past week in Arkansas. With his third and latest ruling, Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Chris Piazza, struck down all remaining state laws that prohibited same-sex couples from obtaining marriage licenses.
Being from the south and on the forefront of same-sex marriage here in Louisiana, it is exciting to see such a ruling come out of such a conservative state as Arkansas and in state court none the less. You look at rulings like this and it gives you a sense of hope that if it can be done in Arkansas, it can be done all across the south.
I once heard it said that marriage equality is happening “all across the country,” but if you look towards the south, you will see an unchanged marriage equality “map”. This is the last great frontier to be claimed for same-sex equality and an Arkansas judge just placed the first flag, staking claim for marriage equality in the Deep South.
Betsy Lee, an Arkansas native for 33 years before moving to New Orleans, shared her thoughts with me. “Growing up in a homophobic Arkansas, I never thought it could happen there.” Hearing the news, Betsy and her longtime partner, April Wensal, are excited that they can finally return to their home state and be married in front of friends and family. Betsy went on to say, “I am proud of Judge Piazza and his ruling for same-sex marriage. This is not his first ruling in favor of same-sex couples. He overturned Arkansas Act 1, which made it illegal for individual’s cohabitating outside of a valid marriage to adopt or provide foster care for minors.”
It is exciting to see the marriage equality banner sweeping across the south with such rulings. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit just held their oral arguments this week for the Virginia case, with the outcome affecting the southern states North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and even Maryland.
Right here in Louisiana our very own oral arguments in federal court are quickly approaching. My husband Jon and I, along with our co-plaintiffs are set to go before the court on June 25th.
It feels like a lifetime since last July when we started our march toward marriage equality here in Louisiana, filing Louisiana’s first federal case.
For the families across Arkansas, this is a huge step in their fight for marriage equality. I am hopeful that no matter how their case plays out as it moves through the state appeals and Supreme Court channels, marriage equality will win out. Not Just For The Last Frontier – But For Every Frontier! -The New Civil Rights Movement
Being from the south and on the forefront of same-sex marriage here in Louisiana, it is exciting to see such a ruling come out of such a conservative state as Arkansas and in state court none the less. You look at rulings like this and it gives you a sense of hope that if it can be done in Arkansas, it can be done all across the south.
I once heard it said that marriage equality is happening “all across the country,” but if you look towards the south, you will see an unchanged marriage equality “map”. This is the last great frontier to be claimed for same-sex equality and an Arkansas judge just placed the first flag, staking claim for marriage equality in the Deep South.
Betsy Lee, an Arkansas native for 33 years before moving to New Orleans, shared her thoughts with me. “Growing up in a homophobic Arkansas, I never thought it could happen there.” Hearing the news, Betsy and her longtime partner, April Wensal, are excited that they can finally return to their home state and be married in front of friends and family. Betsy went on to say, “I am proud of Judge Piazza and his ruling for same-sex marriage. This is not his first ruling in favor of same-sex couples. He overturned Arkansas Act 1, which made it illegal for individual’s cohabitating outside of a valid marriage to adopt or provide foster care for minors.”
It is exciting to see the marriage equality banner sweeping across the south with such rulings. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit just held their oral arguments this week for the Virginia case, with the outcome affecting the southern states North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and even Maryland.
Right here in Louisiana our very own oral arguments in federal court are quickly approaching. My husband Jon and I, along with our co-plaintiffs are set to go before the court on June 25th.
It feels like a lifetime since last July when we started our march toward marriage equality here in Louisiana, filing Louisiana’s first federal case.
For the families across Arkansas, this is a huge step in their fight for marriage equality. I am hopeful that no matter how their case plays out as it moves through the state appeals and Supreme Court channels, marriage equality will win out. Not Just For The Last Frontier – But For Every Frontier! -The New Civil Rights Movement
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