Tag Archives: Montana

Same-sex marriage technically began late yesterday afternoon in Montana after a federal judge struck down that state’s ban. But the true rush to clerks’ offices begins today. Gay couples were expected to line up for marriage licenses Thursday at county courthouses across Montana after a federal judge tossed out the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. At least two counties — …

Ellen has 34 million Twitter followers.

“I am heartbroken for the people of Montana who have had the redefinition of marriage forced on them by an out-of-control federal judiciary. I am also grieved for the children of same-sex couples who have no chance of growing up with a mom and a dad. While we mourn the direction of a misguided judiciary, we’re encouraged by the fact …

“It is the attorney general’s sworn duty to uphold and defend Montana’s constitution until such time as there is no further review or no appeal can be made in a court of law. Fulfilling that duty, the state of Montana will appeal this ruling in light of the fact that there are conflicting federal court decisions and no final word …

“Today’s decision ensures we are closer to fulfilling our promise of freedom, dignity, and equality for all Montanans. It is a day to celebrate our progress, while recognizing the qualities that bind us as Montanans: a desire to make a good life for ourselves and our families, while providing greater opportunities to the next generation. I have instructed my administration …

Big Sky Country has already turned our favorite shade of blue, thanks to our sort of in-house Wikipedia marriage map monitor. Now we wait for the usual GOP flailing. Is this state #34 or can we not yet fully count Kansas?

Read the ruling. The Court hereby DECLARES that Montana’s laws that ban same-sex marriage, including Article XIII, section 7 of the Montana Constitution, and Montana Code Annotated section 40-1-103 and section 40-1-401, violate Plaintiffs’ rights to equal protection of the laws as guaranteed by the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Court PERMANENTLY …

Via the Bozeman Daily Chronicle: A U.S. District Court judge has vacated a hearing in a lawsuit filed by four couples who seek to overturn Montana’s ban on same-sex marriage. Judge Brian Morris had originally set a hearing for federal court in Great Falls on Thursday, Nov. 20, after the plaintiffs’ lawyers filed a motion for summary judgement in their …

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox is continuing to defend his state’s ban on same-sex marriage with a response brief that compares gay nuptials to incest and polygamy. The brief also makes the usual blah-blah procreation argument, but primarily focuses on the level of scrutiny issue. Dig into the full brief at Equality Case Files.

Walsh was appointed to replace Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, who retired earlier this year before the end of his term. Walsh then dropped out of the race after plagiarism charges resulted in the revocation of his master’s degree. State Rep. Amanda Curtis was then chosen to run in Walsh’s place. Another Senate pickup for the GOP.

From Montana’s Great Falls Tribune: One after another, federal appeals courts, including the 9th Circuit that covers Montana, have thrown out gay marriage bans in other states, and Montana’s position will be overturned. Why? Because that stance discriminates against gays, lesbians and others. It is unfair to these folks, regardless of some Americans who disapprove of their sexual orientation. The …

Clip recap: “The number of states with marriage has gone up yet again this week. Only a handful of states are still trying to defend their marriage bans, and they’re quickly running out of ways to delay their inevitable loss. A straight couple in Kansas has filed a new anti-gay lawsuit, and it’s nuts. A federal judge just ruled against …

Montana and South Carolina are fighting to be the last state to fall after the huge victories of two weeks ago.

Via ACLU Montana: In one of the last remaining steps for Montana to become a marriage equality state, the ACLU of Montana today filed a motion for the U.S. District Court of Montana to rule in favor of four same-sex couples suing for marriage. “We don’t think there are any material facts in dispute, and so the case can be …

Earlier this month the mayor of Billings, Montana cast the deciding vote to reject a proposed LGBT non-discrimination ordinance. Buoyed by that victory, haters are pointing their horns at a similar bill that was passed in Bozeman just a few weeks ago. The complaint filed by attorney Michael San Souci in District Court this week asks the court to declare …

“It was well after 3:00 a.m., but to people in Billings, Montana, it was never too late to stand up to the forces of political correctness. Thanks to Mayor Tom Hanel, that’s exactly what the largest city in the state did — beating back a dangerous bathroom bill that would have literally opened the doors of Billings’s public showers, locker …

“We are so thankful for your faithful prayers and your unwavering support to defeat this ordinance. Please consider sending a quick email to the council members and Mayor Hanel, who voted against the ordinance, thanking them for standing strong in the face of much adversity.” – The Montana Family Foundation, who will host Fox News reporter Todd Starnes at its …

Via the Billings Gazette: Saying he doesn’t believe Billings is ready for a nondiscrimination ordinance, Mayor Tom Hanel cast the decisive vote just past 3 a.m. Tuesday to defeat the long-debated measure. Hanel said he applied a standard from Rotary International to help him reach his decision: “I needed to ask myself, is this fair to everyone, beneficial to everyone? …

From the editorial board of Montana’s Billings Gazette: Is it OK for a good worker to be fired because her employer learned she is lesbian? Is it right for a landlord to refuse to rent to otherwise qualified tenants because they are gay? Should local businesses be allowed to refuse service to people because they appear to be transgender? The …