Utah and Indiana’s same-sex marriage bans struck down
By Josh Haggis
Utah and Indiana have both had their same-sex marriage bans struck down by US courts in separate rulings.
A 2-1 decision by the US Court of Appeals on Wednesday (June 24) ruled that any couple in Utah, regardless of sexual orientation, has the constitutional right to marry, reports NPR.
“We hold that the Fourteenth Amendment protects the fundamental right to marry, establish a family, raise children, and enjoy the full protection of a state’s marital laws,” said the court.
“A state may not deny the issuance of a marriage license to two persons, or refuse to recognize their marriage, based solely upon the sex of the persons in the marriage union.”
Utah’s ruling does not apply immediately, as there will be a chance for an appeal to take place at the Supreme Court.
The pro-same-sex marriage ruling in Utah comes as a US federal judge struck down Indiana’s same-sex marriage ban on the same day (June 24), making Indiana the 19th state to officially allow gay couples to marry.
There are now 19 US states which allow gay couples the right to marry. There are eight other states, including Utah, whose bans have been struck down but are pending appeal.
Related news: Northern Ireland rejects same-sex marriage for third time