Same Sex Marriage Ban and Laws: Gay Marriages to Become Legal in Wyoming on Tuesday
Wyoming is set to become the 32nd state to allow same-sex marriage on Tuesday.
On Monday, the attorney general announced that gay marriages can begin in the state on Tuesday once officials file a formal notice that it will not appeal a federal court ruling that overturned a ban on the legalization of gay marriage.
The announcement came after U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl decided last week that Wyoming's gay marriage ban violated the U.S. Constitution. However, he put a stay on his ruling until Thursday if the state declined to file an appeal.
"After reviewing the law and the judge's decision that binding precedent requires recognition of same-sex marriage, I have concluded that further legal process will result in delay but not a different result," said Wyoming Attorney General Peter Michael in a statement, according to Reuters.
The AG also said that same-sex wedding can begin immediately after state officials file a formal notice with the court stating that it would not seek another appeal.
"The Laramie County Clerk will be required to provide marriage licenses to otherwise qualified individuals without regard to whether the applicants are a same-sex couple," he said.
Beginning on Friday, gay marriage also became legal in Arizona after Attorney General Tom Horne announced that the state would not challenge a federal court decision that overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage.
According to Horne, the state has a "zero" percent chance of getting a successful appeal. He therefore issued a statement instructing county clerks to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
"Effective immediately, the clerks of Arizona county superior courts cannot deny a marriage license to any otherwise eligible licensees on the grounds that the license permits a marriage between persons of the same sex," Horne wrote in his letter, according to AZ Central.
One of the couples that exchanged vows at the courthouse was David Larance and Kevin Patterson, who were among the plaintiffs who sued to overturn Arizona's ban.
"This is a great day," Patterson said, ABC News reports. "I never thought this would happen in Arizona."
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