Last updated on: 10/6/2014 | Author: ProCon.org

Dec. 20, 2013 – Utah’s Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional by Federal Judge

“A federal judge on Friday [Dec. 20, 2013] ruled Utah’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional in a state dominated by the Mormon Church, one of the country’s staunchest opponents of gay marriage.

‘The State’s current laws deny its gay and lesbian citizens their fundamental right to marry and, in so doing, demean the dignity of these same-sex couples for no rational reason,’ Judge Robert J. Shelby, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, wrote in his opinion. ‘Accordingly, the court finds that these laws are unconstitutional.’…

The Salt Lake County Clerk began issuing marriage licenses almost immediately after the ruling.”