It’s not the news we were hoping for: marriage equality is over in Utah (for now).
The US Supreme Court just ruled that weddings must cease while the state’s appeal works its way through the courts. This is a big disappointment. It’s like rain on your wedding day, only not ironic.
Although the procedure was a little different, this is pretty similar to what happened in California a couple of years ago with Prop. 8. Just like in Utah, a federal district court overturned a marriage ban. And then the decision was stayed while the Prop. 8 Proponents dragged an appeal out over the course of years. That’s why nobody could get married there until 2013.
And now we’re seeing a repeat of that in Utah. There, the state failed to ask for a pre-emptive stay, so marriage started as soon as the district court’s ruling came down. But now, the Supreme Court has decided, equality needs to stop until there’s a final-final decision in the case.
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This isn’t the end of the fight in Utah, of course. The state’s appealing the district court’s ruling, in an attempt to permanently end marriage. That could take months, or even years (as in California). And every day that Utah is without equality is a day that couples are harmed by a lack of access to the rights and freedoms associated with marriage.
Fortunately, we’ll get a final decision in the case before too long. It probably won’t take as long as the Prop. 8 case, which was crazy-complicated. Remember, even though this latest ruling is a setback, we still winning! And eventually, we’ll have a final decision that, hopefully, will restore marriage in Utah for good.
Maharajah
“Every day that Utah is without equality is a day that couples are harmed by a lack of access to the rights and freedoms associated with marriage.”
Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/supreme-court-temporarily-halts-same-sex-marriages-in-utah-20140106/#ixzz2pdYgscBt
I can’t argue with that point – you’re right, and for the thousands of couples that now have to wait – this is damaging and hurtful. In future it will be moments like this that the world will show it’s remorse over.
However, there is alot of good news here. The strong, brave, and battle-hardened that make up our ranks in Utah have been preparing for this – given a right, only to have it snatched up – and so, to the LGBT members of the state; I hope that you hold out faith – because the tide is turning, and just like with Prop-8, it will be struck down!
This is a set-back, but it will not last. The world is changing, and the major hurdles here are coming down, and with individuals and judges willing to be interested in, and allied for, our rights – more and more and onboard each day. With Utah – it’s a matter of time – and this time around, there are enough precedents to make it happen.
Fitz
Another thing that’s just like in California: the Mormon cult freaks are behind it.
Black Pegasus
So does this mean the fasting homophobe in Utah can eat a cookie?
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/utah-man-vows-fast-utah-bans-gay-marriage-article-1.1565872
Kangol
@Black Pegasus:
Great comment!
Keep up the fight, LGBTQ people of Utah, and know that gay people all over the country are standing with you!
AuntieChrist
Oh dear. I guess Donnie and Marie threw a hissy fit and all the not so goody goody more moans got their way.
doug105
Marie is pro-marriage equality I believe, no idea about Donnie.
Dakotahgeo
Backward states always seem to impede progress when ever they have the chance. Merely a temporary setback.
Dakotahgeo
Progress is always impeded by backward states. Merely a temporary setback.
DShucking
They probably regard this as a victory because these days their victories are so few.
litper
The SCOTUS is still too chickenshit to decide on that issue!
litper
Because Scalia was RIGHT and he knows it!
Atomicrob
They really treat the LGBT community like second class citizens. The default is to satisfy the request of some right-wing politician who feels threatened by marriage equality. 900+ couples have already married, so obviously the state complied and marriages moved forward with no adverse consequences to Utah. This decision was to placate a rabidly conservative governor. Sad day for gays and lesbians in Utah, and everywhere.
Maharajah
@Atomicrob: “ad day for gays and lesbians in Utah, and everywhere.”
Yes, a sad day – but one of our last. Those days a numbered, and we are going to be getting to what’s rightfully our soon. It’s a setback, but Utah can appreciate that it will only be temporary. It’s no consolation to my brothers and sisters in Utah, but at least this way – we know that they’ll see justice soon.
Daniel-Reader
Other cases in other states are also working their way along. At least we know who the top human rights violators are in Utah.
Robert
Any gays living in Utah need there head examined to begin with. I can’t think of a more hostile environment anywhere in the civilized world. Mormons are freaks that wear funny underwear and believe in their founder that had 52 wives at the time of his passing (I heard most were minors in the 10 to 13 year range)). Don’t forget they (Mormons) contributed millions to pass prop 8 in CA. You want to live there under that kind of rule then refer to my first sentence.
Dakotahgeo
@Robert: Ahhhhhhh, but THEREIN lies the CHALLENGE!!! And inch by inch… everything’s a cinch. Really, the victories’ already happened… thousands have already married and they’re LEGAL!!! Can’t nullify that. Patience and perserverance!
Robert
Dakotahgeo….you’re right of course. I’ll try to keep the faith for our LGBT brothers and sisters in Utah. They are welcome to our beautiful State of Hawaii if they get tired of the inch by inch progress. I guess the older I get the less patience I can muster. I’m a senior now and waited so long but finally married my lifetime sweetheart.
DShucking
Straight people who don’t approve of gay marriage say the people didn’t make it legal, activist judges made it legal. I don’t see them saying that now.
TrekBear
While the stay is a setback, it’s certainly not a defeat. The appeals process has to run its course before a final decision is reached.
Icebloo
Americans are SO dumb. Why are you letting lawyers and judges rule your lives ? KICK THEM ALL OUT !
Dakotahgeo
@Icebloo: Because if it weren’t for attorneys and lawyers fighting for our cause, we’d ALL be in concentration camps waiting for the Fundamentalist ovens to incinerate us, Dumbo!
Tyler100
@Icebloo:
Speaking of dumb, icebloo is here.
viveutvivas
Et tu, Sotomayor?
Spike
If gay marriages are to be invalidated, it’s going to happen in Utah, and without apology.