Federal judge rules for marriage equality in Wisconsin
Madison, WI -
Today in Madison Wisconsin Federal Judge Barbara Crabb overturned Wisconsin's gay marriage ban. The ban was an amendment to the state constitution approved by voters in 2006.
The judge did not stay in her ruling, but it was also not immediately apparent whether gay marriages could begin at once. She has set a June 16, 2014 hearing to determine just what sections of the law to block.
Wisconsin has a five-day waiting period between application for and issuing or marriage licenses; however, county clerks can waive the waiting period at their discretion.
News of the ruling came as PrideFest Milwaukee opened along Milwaukee's lakeshore.
"We are so honored to receive such extraordinary news one hour after opening today," PrideFest organizers tweeted. "Let's celebrate!"
This ruling follows today's filing in North Dakota of a lawsuit challenging the gay marriage ban in that state. North Dakota was the one lone state in which challenges had not yet been filed.
The Wisconsin decision comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of eight couples seeking to marry in Wisconsin.
State marriage bans have been failing around the country since the Supreme Court last year struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Same-sex couples now have the right to marry in 19 states and the District of Columbia. In seven of the remaining 31 states court rulings have been issued to strike down bans, but those rulings are on appeal.
The judge did not stay in her ruling, but it was also not immediately apparent whether gay marriages could begin at once. She has set a June 16, 2014 hearing to determine just what sections of the law to block.
Wisconsin has a five-day waiting period between application for and issuing or marriage licenses; however, county clerks can waive the waiting period at their discretion.
News of the ruling came as PrideFest Milwaukee opened along Milwaukee's lakeshore.
"We are so honored to receive such extraordinary news one hour after opening today," PrideFest organizers tweeted. "Let's celebrate!"
This ruling follows today's filing in North Dakota of a lawsuit challenging the gay marriage ban in that state. North Dakota was the one lone state in which challenges had not yet been filed.
The Wisconsin decision comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of eight couples seeking to marry in Wisconsin.
State marriage bans have been failing around the country since the Supreme Court last year struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Same-sex couples now have the right to marry in 19 states and the District of Columbia. In seven of the remaining 31 states court rulings have been issued to strike down bans, but those rulings are on appeal.
