Tag Archives: ACLU

UTAH: Tenth Circuit Court Denies Request For Permanent Stay, “Go To SCOTUS”

Via press release from the ACLU of Utah: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit denied Utah’s request to suspend a lower court’s ruling ordering the state to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples who were legally married after a federal court struck down a state ban, but before the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted additional marriages from …

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Buzzfeed’s Chris Geidner On ENDA

Yesterday several major LGBT groups including the ACLU, the NGLTF, and Lambda Legal announced that they no longer support ENDA due to its broad religious exemptions. Buzzfeed‘s Chris Geidner has published a lengthy look at the ENDA battle and concludes his analysis with three reasons for the sudden change of heart. The final reason: The White House is preparing an …

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ACLU Retracts ENDA Support

This afternoon the ACLU joined a growing list of civil rights group that have dropped their support for ENDA due to its gaping religious exemptions. Via press release: The provision in the current version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that allows religious organizations to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity has long been a source of significant …

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MAINE: Dem US Senate Candidate Objects To HRC’s Endorsement Of GOP Opponent

“My opponent, Republican Susan Collins, had the chance to speak up in favor of marriage equality in 2012 or any time in the previous decade. Two years after her constituents made their feelings known at the ballot box, she has refused to break her silence. I believe Mainers need, want and deserve more proactive representation on equal rights — on …

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ALABAMA: ACLU Files Marriage Suit

The ACLU today filed what (I think) is Alabama’s fourth marriage-related lawsuit. Via press release: The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Alabama filed a federal lawsuit today challenging Alabama’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of April and Ginger Aaron-Brush of Birmingham. The couple was wed in Massachusetts but their marriage …

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WISCONSIN: ACLU Files For Permanent Injunction Against Marriage Ban

The ACLU yesterday filed the requested demand for a permanent injunction against the enforcement of Wisconsin’s marriage ban. Defendants Scott Walker and J.B. Van Hollen, in their official capacities,and their officers, agents, servants, employees and attorneys, and all those acting in concert with them, are permanently enjoined from enforcing art. XIII, § 13 of the Wisconsin Constitution and any Wisconsin …

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WISCONSIN: State Asks Seventh Circuit Court To Stop Same-Sex Marriages

As expected, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today filed a same-sex marriage notice of appeal with the Seventh Circuit Court. Several county clerks in Wisconsin have been issuing marriage licenses since the ban was struck down on Friday by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb, but other county clerks say they are waiting for clarification from the state. Van Hollen …

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BREAKING: Federal Judge STRIKES DOWN Wisconsin Ban On Same-Sex Marriage

Via Milwaukee TMJ-TV: A federal judge has ruled that Wisconsin’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Wisconsin’s voters passed a constitutional ban against same-sex marriages in 2006, but the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Wisconsin, and the law firm of Mayer Brown filed a lawsuit on behalf of eight Wisconsin couples challenging the ban. Part of Friday’s ruling …

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UTAH: ACLU Fires Back At State

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FLORIDA: AG Pam Bondi Asks Federal Court To Toss Out “Harmful” Marriage Suit

Via the Associated Press: The attorney general of Florida says in court documents that recognizing same sex marriages performed in other states would “impose significant public harm.” Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a response that asks a federal judge to throw out the lawsuit. Bondi’s office says the state has a legitimate interest in defining a marriage as between …

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COLORADO: Civil Rights Panel Rules That Bakery Discriminated Against Gay Couple

Breaking news from the ACLU: The Colorado Civil Rights Commission ruled that a Lakewood bakery violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple, because of the owner’s personal religious beliefs. At a public hearing today, the commission rejected the bakery’s appeal of an earlier finding of unlawful discrimination by an administrative judge. …

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MONTANA: First Marriage Suit Filed, Dem Gov. Steve Bullock Welcomes Action

Via the Associated Press: Four gay couples are suing Montana over its constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. That leaves North Dakota and South Dakota as the only two states with gay marriage bans and no lawsuits seeking to overturn them. The Montana lawsuit was being filed Wednesday in federal court in Great Falls, with help from the Montana ACLU. It …

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ACLU Petitions Pennsylvania Gov. Corbett: Don’t Appeal Today’s Marriage Ruling

Sign the petition.

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LGBT Groups React To Pennsylvania Ruling

ACLU “The court, in a bell-ringing opinion, has explained in crystal clear language why the promises of our Constitution extend to all Pennsylvanians. We urge the commonwealth to take whatever steps are necessary to allow marriages to proceed and the celebrations to begin immediately. What a great day!” said Mark Aronchick of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller. The commonwealth …

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BREAKING: Pennsylvania Marriage Ruling Expected By Tomorrow Afternoon

Late breaking news from the ACLU: “The landmark case to win the freedom to marry in Pennsylvania is expected to be decided on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. After the court’s ruling, we will be hosting Decision Day rallies all across the state where we hope to celebrate a favorable ruling for marriage equality!”  The rallies will be held late tomorrow …

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LGBT Groups React To Oregon Ruling

Oregon United “The importance of Judge McShane’s decision cannot be overemphasized,” said David Fidanque, executive director of the ACLU of Oregon. “Our federal Constitution does not allow any state – or its voters – to deny same sex couples equal protection under the law simply because of who they are and who they love. This type of discrimination is wrong …

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Virginia AG Mark Herring: Today’s Anti-Gay Arguments Were “Wholly Unpersuasive”

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring gave a great speech at the press conference held by the plaintiffs and their legal teams after today’s oral arguments in Virginia’s marriage equality case before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Herring vows to “work every day as a modern attorney general.” The audio doesn’t kick in for a few seconds.

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VIRGINIA: Fourth Circuit Court Of Appeals To Hear Marriage Case Tomorrow

Tomorrow the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear Virginia’s marriage equality case. A three-judge panel randomly selected from the 16-member appeals court will hear arguments from lawyers for both sides. The Richmond-based 4th Circuit, once widely considered the most conservative appeals court in the country, has become more moderate with the addition of five appointees by President Barack Obama. …

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OHIO: ACLU Opposes Intervention Of DOMA Attorney Roberta Kaplan

The ACLU has filed an opposition brief to DOMA attorney Roberta Kaplan’s request to join the marriage suit against the state of Ohio. Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade: “Plaintiffs-Appellees have the utmost respect for Equality Ohio and the four unmarried couples and their counsel and the important interests they represent,” the brief states. “However, Plaintiffs-Appellees should be entitled …

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ALASKA: State Supreme Court Rules That Tax Code Discriminates Against Gays

The Alaska Supreme Court today ruled that it’s unconstitutional to deny property tax exemptions to same-sex couples. Via press release from the ACLU: The rules were challenged by the ACLU of Alaska, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on behalf of three couples who were denied full access to a $150,000 property tax exemption that Alaska …

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