Salt Lake Tribune: Federal Judge Strikes Down Utah’s Ban on Same-sex Marriage - Updated

Gotta say this cracks us up

Great news for Utah advocates of individual liberty this afternoon, as the Salt Lake Tribune reports that "[a] federal judge in Utah Friday struck down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, saying the law violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees of equal protection and due process."

"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," wrote U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby. "Accordingly, the court finds that these laws are unconstitutional."

• Federal judge strikes down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage

Here's the full text of Judge Shelby's written decision:

• Utah Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

And Yes. Of course.  The forces of  status quo bigotry have vowed to immediately appeal, and to turn back the ineluctable tide of  history:

Ryan Bruckman, spokesman for the Utah Attorney General’s Office, said its attorneys plan to appeal the decision and were currently drafting a motion to seek a stay of the ruling "as quickly as we can get it taken care of." 

No doubt about it.  The post-decision pandemonium will something we'll keep on the Weber County Forum front-burner.

Gotta say this cracks us up.

Stay tuned for further breaking developments, folks.

Update 12/21/13 8:16 a.m.: "SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. District Court for Utah has denied the state’s emergency request for stay of the court’s ruling issued earlier Friday declaring Utah’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional":

• Judge denies Utah’s request for emergency stay, same-sex marriage decision

You can bet your boots that the Utah A.G.'s office will have lawyers standing on the courthouse steps of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday morning, looking for a stay order. So For those readers who'd like to urge Governor Herbert to keep his mitts off Judge Shelby's Friday ruling, here's an online citizens petition to which you can affix your electronic signatures:

• PETITION: LET IT STAND, GOVERNOR!

Update 12/21/13 9:56 a.m.: Clever and timely photo image via James Dabakis...