LGBT News Judge Validates Over 500 Same-Sex Marriages in Arkansas

IcarusRising · Jun 11, 2015

I am not often a proud Arkansan, but I am today!!!!

Even with a Supreme Court decision on national marriage equality expected in weeks, a judge in Arkansas ordered the state to recognize more than 500 same-sex marriages performed for one week in May last year, the Associated Press reports.

In his ruling, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen affirmed marriage rights for the same-sex couples who wed after another judge tossed out Arkansas's marriage equality ban last year.

After state officials appealed the decision, the state Supreme Court waited a week to stay the ruling. In that week, between May 9 and May 15, more than 500 same-sex couples wed. The legality of these marriages was challenged by state officials including the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Director Larry Walther.

In his ruling, Judge Griffen made his feelings about Walther clear: "With shameless disrespect for fundamental fairness and equality, [Walther] insists on treating the marriages of same-sex couples who received marriage licenses between May 9 and May 15 as 'void from inception as a matter of law.'"

The ruling means the approximately 500 couples will now be able to take full advantage of benefits only available to married couples, such as filing taxes jointly and enrolling together in insurance plans.
Click to expand...

https://www.advocate.com/politics/m...alidates-over-500-same-sex-marriages-arkansas

Andrew99 · Jun 11, 2015

That's awesome.

redneck · Jun 12, 2015

Glad to hear it. I actually met the first same sex couple married in the state (just happened to be standing near me) at the pride parade last year. Then there was by a speech by the woman who married them and the woman who is fighting the marriage ban in court at the rally afterwards.

This year's parade is in two weeks and I want to go but I'm not sure my truck will make the trip this year.

tscott · Jun 12, 2015

Congratulations to Arkansas and all of the married coules.

mobrien1993 · Jun 12, 2015

It's a small step but everyone has to start somewhere...I can honestly say in the last couple of years people seem to be more accepting

LGBT News Judge Validates Over 500 Same-Sex Marriages in Arkansas

IcarusRising
Regular Member

Andrew99
Full Member

redneck
Regular Member

tscott
Full Member

mobrien1993
Regular Member

LGBT News Judge Validates Over 500 Same-Sex Marriages in Arkansas

Thread Tools

IcarusRising Regular Member

Andrew99 Full Member

redneck Regular Member

tscott Full Member

mobrien1993 Regular Member

IcarusRising
Regular Member

Andrew99
Full Member

redneck
Regular Member

tscott
Full Member

mobrien1993
Regular Member