Breaking: Supreme Court Legalizes Gay Marriage Nationwide

This may be the best term a solicitor general has ever had

Via the Huffington Post, which reports that marriage equality is now the "law of the land."  Here's the lede, folks:

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Friday that it is legal for all Americans, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, to marry the people they love.
The decision is a historic victory for gay rights activists who have fought for years in the lower courts. Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia already recognize marriage equality. The remaining 13 states ban these unions, even as public support has reached record levels nationwide.
The justices found that under the 14th Amendment, states must issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize same-sex unions that were legally performed in other states. Justice Anthony Kennedy delivered the majority opinion and was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Stephen G. Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor. [Emphasis added].

Read the full HuffPo story here:

• Supreme Court Legalizes Gay Marriage Nationwide

Needless to say, on the heels of yesterday's blockbuster SCOTUS decision, U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli is "on a roll":

• This may be the best term a solicitor general has ever had

Keep your eyes on Weber County Forum, peeps, as we add important updates, whilst the inevitable pro/con reactions roll in throughout the day.

Updates 6/25/15: Just like clockwork, conservative heads are beginning to explode like popcorn in hot oil, all over the webosphere:

• “Polygamy, here we come!” Right wing melts down over gay marriage victory - Slate
• LDS Church says 'Supreme Court decision will not alter doctrine on marriage' - Good4Utah
• The 10 Most Wild Lines From Antonin Scalia’s Extreme Dissent Over Gay Marriage - Mother Jones
• Weekly Standard Freaks Out Over Gay Marriage: 'You Will Be Assimilated' - TPM
• Glenn Beck Goes Full-On Drama Queen With Obamacare Ruling: ‘The Country As We Know It Is Done’ (VIDEO) - Addicting Info
• Mike Huckabee: I Will Not Accept Gay Marriage Ruling By ‘Imperial Court’ - TPM
• Rick Perry Ignores Supreme Court Ruling Vows to Enable Discrimination Against Gays
• Republican Presidential Candidates Criticize Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
• Bobby Jindal administration says Louisiana won't recognize gay marriage yet - Times Picayune
• The New Nullification Crisis: GOPers Vow To Defy SCOTUS Over Gay Marriage- TPM
• Senator Mike Lee reacts to Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling - Good4Utah
• Utah lawmaker: Does logic behind gay-marriage ruling open door to ‘polygamy, bestiality’? - SL Trib
• Far-Right: Flee America Before God Destroys Us For Gay Marriage! - Right Wing Watch
• Lawmaker has bill drafted to do away with marriages in Utah - Fox13
• Governor Herbert 'disappointed' with Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling - Good4Utah

Marriage equality advocates and various other civil libertarian-types are greeting today's decision with open arms, of course:

• President Obama on Same-Sex Marriage Ruling (Video) - C-Span
• Utah Pride Center, Equality Utah, Better Utah react to Supreme Court marriage ruling - Good4Utah
• Obama call to plaintiff in gay marriage case caught on camera (Video) - The Hill
• Celebrities cheer gay marriage ruling- The Hill
• Libertarian Party four-decade advocacy for marriage equality pays off with US Supreme Court decision - Libertarian Party

Updates 6/27/2015 And the post-SCOTUS-decision fun begins again:

• East Texas same-sex couple sues after being denied marriage license

Thursday Morning 2015 Utah Legislative News Roundup

Via Utah Policy, and with the 2015 Utah legislative session set to wrap up at midnight tonight, here are this morning's "top ten headlines," folks:

• With less than 24 hours to go in the legislative session, lawmakers are still at an impasse on Medicaid expansion [Utah Policy, Deseret News, Tribune].
• Utahns overwhelmingly back a shift in Utah's criminal justice system focusing that's focused on treatment over incarceration [Utah Policy].
• The Utah Senate hijacks a House bill calling for non-partisan school board elections, swapping it out with a plan for partisan elections [Tribune, Deseret News].
• Lawmakers are still trying to come to an accord over a gas tax hike [Deseret News].
• The Legislature gives final passage to historic non-discrimination legislation that includes protections for religious liberties [Tribune].
• The House gives final approval to legislation allowing government workers to opt out of performing same-sex marriages [Tribune].
• The public is split on whether police should be able to pull over drivers because they're not wearing a seat belt, but they're solidly behind a plan to ban drivers from making calls behind the wheel unless it's hands-free [Utah Policy].
• A bill to equalize tax revenue among school districts barely passes the Utah House and now heads to the governor [Tribune].
• Lawmakers send a bill making game fowl fighting a felony to the governor [Deseret News, Tribune].
• Former Governor Jon Huntsman joins Sen. Mike Lee's re-election campaign [Utah Policy, Tribune, Deseret News].

Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones...

Tuesday Morning 2015 Utah Legislative News Roundup

Utahns overwhelmingly support plan for massive school funding boost. The Senate advances proposed constitutional amendment to kill Count My Vote. Non-discrimination legislation coming later this week

Via the hard-working folks at Utah Policy, we're delighted present this boffo collection of WCF-topical morning news stories, reflecting pending action in the 2015 Utah legislature, as of this morning:

• Capitol Hill sources say legislators should unveil their non-discrimination and religious liberty proposals later this week [Utah Policy].
• Utah legislators are now taking applications from outside lawyers tho want to aid the state in the fight over control of public lands [Tribune].
• Senators kill a bill allowing the state to adopt tougher clean-air standards than those set by the federal government [Deseret News].
• A Senate panel approves a bill clamping down on anonymous campaign donations [Deseret News].
• A Senate committee holds a measure banning those under the age of 19 from entering tobacco shops on concerns it may set up some unintended consequences [Utah Policy, Tribune].
• Lobbyists may ditch wearing nametags under a proposed bill approved by a Senate committee on Monday [Tribune].
• A bill requiring new drivers to take an additional written test before getting their license wins final approval and now heads to the governor [Tribune].
• The House passes a measure giving teachers a modest tax credit for buying classroom supplies with their own money [Tribune].

Kudos to the fine folks at Utah Policy, for doing all the footwork.

Don't let the cat get your tongues, O Gentle Ones

Salt Lake Tribune: Utah Agrees to Pay Attorney Fees in Same-sex Marriage Benefits Case

Utah Attorney General’s Office spokeswoman Missy Larsen: "The order speaks for itself"

Heartwarming story Jessica Miller/Hessica Dobner story from the Salt Lake Tribune:

The state of Utah will pay attorney fees for the plaintiffs in the Evans v. Utah case, which sought spousal benefits for same-sex couples wed in the Beehive State during a 17-day window when their unions were temporarily legal.
The state will pay $95,000 to attorneys for the eight plaintiffs, according to an order signed by U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball on Monday.
The order also makes permanent, a temporary injunction Kimball issued last May, directing the state to recognize the marriages and officially closes the case.

Here's Ms. Miller's full writeup:

• Utah agrees to pay attorney fees in same-sex marriage benefits case

"Utah Attorney General’s Office spokeswoman Missy Larsen declined to comment, saying the order speaks for itself."

Yep...

Breaking: Same-sex Marriage Petitions Denied By U.S. Supreme Court - Updated

Supremes say to Utah, "Stop! In the Name of Love"

Heartening news for supporters of Utah marriage equality, as the US Supreme Court "this morning issued additional orders from its September 29 Conference. Most notably, the Court denied review of all seven of the petitions arising from challenges to state bans on same-sex marriage. This means that the lower-court decisions striking down bans in Indiana, Wisconsin, Utah, Oklahoma, and Virginia should go into effect shortly, clearing the way for same-sex marriages in those states and any other state with similar bans in those circuits":

• Today’s orders: Same-sex marriage petitions denied - Scotus Blog

"Last month Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had suggested that the Court might not step into the controversy at this point, because there was no disagreement among the lower courts on that issue. Today her prediction proved true, with the Court denying review (without any comment) of the seven petitions."

Read an expanded morning analysis via the New York Times:

• Supreme Court Clears Way for Gay Marriage in 5 [7] States

"Supremes say to Utah, 'Stop! In the Name of Love,'" in other words.

(H/T to Cousin Jim, for the clever thematic twist.)

Update 10/6/14 9:45 a.m.: "One thing that should be noted is that there are still marriage equality cases pending before conservative circuits that could rule against equality. Nevertheless, the fact that marriages are likely to begin very shortly in the states currently subject to court orders will make it very difficult for the Supreme Court to reverse course — and retroactively invalidate those marriages — in a subsequent opinion:

• The Supreme Court Just Quietly Made Marriage Equality The Law Of The Land In Many States

Update 10/6/14 10:30 a.m.:  Over at the wacky Sutherland Institute "Think Hate Tank," there's the predictable "wailing and gnashing of teeth":

• Statement on Supreme Court’s refusal to hear marriage case

"We will be stubborn,"  The Sutherland Institute sez

Weber State 9/18/14 Event: Constitution Address: Debating Same Sex Marriage and the Constitution - Updated

Something tells us that this is an Ogden City-situated event which you won't want to miss

Here's a quick heads-up concerning an interesting happening on the Weber State campus, which U.S. Constitution buffs and regular WCF political wonks might want to attend tomorrow, in conjunction with WSU's celebration of what the Olene Walker Institute of Politics and Public Service is labeling "Constitution Week (Sept 15-18)".

Specifically, here's the gist, via the WSU website:

As part of the week’s activities...[t]he event, “Debating Same-Sex Marriage and the Constitution,” will be held Sept. 18 at 1:45 p.m. in Elizabeth Hall Room 229. The debate will feature William Duncan, the director of the Center for Family and Society at the Sutherland Institute, and Clifford J. Rosky, professor of law at the University of Utah. Doug Gibson, the opinion editor for the Standard-Examiner, will moderate.
The discussion is intended to inform students and the public about the constitutional issues the Supreme Court will likely address if they agree to hear Utah’s appeal of the 10th Circuit Court decision upholding same-sex marriage.

Once again, here are the time/space coordinates and other pertinent information, as set forth in this nifty graphic:

Click to enlarge image

Thankfully, debate moderator Doug Gibson regularly trains in the pugilistic arts at Ogden's Foley's Mixed Martial Arts Training Center, a fortuitous circumstance which might come in handy in the event that this debate might become a little overly rambunctious.

Here's our irreverent "constitutional" take on the subject, for what it's worth [grin]:

Please be sure to mark your calenders and plan to be in attendance, folks.

Something tells us that this is an Ogden City-situated event which you won't want to miss.

Update 9/19/14 11:15 a.m.:  The Standard's Cathy McKitrick provides a top-notch recap of the same sex marriage debate at WSU yesterday:

• Lively debate at WSU on same-sex marriage (w/video)

That dude from the Sutherland Institute got his butt royally kicked, or so it appears to us.  But what say you, O Gentle Ones?

And here's a great wrap-up from the Signpost:

• Same-sex marriage debate hits WSU w/Video

Salt Lake Tribune:10th Circuit Court Upholds Same-sex Marriage - Updated

Next stop, The U.S. Supreme Court, as the forces of Utah oppression stubbornly remain on the wrong side of history

As a followup to our earlier writeups, here's yesterday's blockbuster Story from the Salt Lake Tribune:

"A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that states outlawing same-sex marriage are in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
By upholding a Utah judge’s decision, a three-member panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver became the first appeals court in the nation to rule on the issue, setting a historic precedent that voter-approved bans on same-sex marriage violate the Fourteenth Amendment rights of same-sex couples to equal protection and due process."

• 10th Circuit Court upholds same-sex marriage

"But the court immediately stayed the implementation of its decision, pending an anticipated appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Utah attorney general’s office said Wednesday it will initiate that appeal."

Here's the full text Court of Appeals decision, for those who'd like to go direct to the source, and digest the court's reasoning:

• Kitchen v. Herbert

Next stop, The U.S. Supreme court, we guess, as the reactionary forces of Utah oppression dig in their heels, and stubbornly remain on the wrong side of history.

Update 6/27/14 8:30 a.m.:  Surprise of surprises:

• Opponents of same-sex marriage vow to continue fight to Supreme Court

Salt Lake Tribune: Supreme Court Halts Gay Marriage in Utah

Great news for the "haters," we suppose

Bad news for Utah civil libertarians, as the Salt Lake Tribune delivers this blockbuster news. Here's the lede:

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday put same-sex marriages in Utah on hold, granting the state’s request for a stay while it appeals a ruling that laws banning such marriages are unconstitutional.
The court said the stay would be in place until the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver makes a decision on Utah’s appeal.

Read the full story, folks:

• Supreme Court halts gay marriage in Utah 

Even worse news for "[a]t least about 1,000 same sex couples have wed since Shelby’s ruling," whose marital statuses will now be thrown into legal limbo.

Great news for the "haters," though we suppose.

Sunday Funnies: Utah's Fight to Overturn Gay Marriage Ruling Could Cost $2 million - Updated

Thankfully, in the Theocratic State of  Utah, taxpayer money apparently "grows on trees"

In Friday's Weber County Forum story we reported that our newly elected Utah Attorney General will be "turning to outside counsel for help with its efforts to stop same-sex marriages, a move the office said Thursday would temporarily delay its application for a stay to the U.S. Supreme Court." Well... Lo and Behold, The Standard-Examiner now reports the probable Utah taxpayer price tag for this "fool's errand":

• Utah's fight to overturn gay marriage ruling could cost $2 million

Thankfully, in the Theocratic State of  Utah, taxpayer money apparently "grows on trees." 

Utah: The best-managed state? "Utah manages itself with savvy business acumen," opined the Pew Center on States Government Performance in 2008.

Of course it hurts a little less when you laugh about it, right?

Just a little something to add to your Sunday morning merriment and mirth.

Over... and Out!

Update 12/29/13 6:00 p.m.: Added bonus:  Just to keep this whole brouhahah in context:

Salt Lake Tribune: Utah Seeks Outside Help In Request For Gay-marriage Stay

Newly-appointed Utah Attorney General, Sean Reyes, apparently recognizes that his office is "way" over its head

Fascinating development in the Kitchen v. Herbert Utah same sex marriage case, as the Utah A.G.'s Office prepares to take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court, on the heels of being rebuffed in its requested "stays" of execution four (count 'em 4) times by both US. District Court Judge Shelby and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals earlier in the week:

• Utah seeks outside help in request for gay-marriage stay 

Encouraging to learn that our newly-appointed Utah Attorney General, Sean Reyes, apparently recognizes that his office is "way" over its head, ainnit?

Of course, if you take the time to read Judge Shelby's well-reasoned full decision it becomes obvious that whatever private law firm takes up the task of rescuing Utah's ill-conceived, and now constitutinally overtuned "ban" on same sex marriage most definitely has its work cut out for it:

Utah Same Sex Ruling

Needless to say, we'll be keeping a close eye on the U.S. Supreme Court docket over the next four days.

Stay tuned, folks.

Standard-Examiner Op-Ed: Reaction by Herbert, Others to Gay Marriage Ruling is Rotten

This Standard-Examiner Guest Op-Ed piece deserves a hearty WCF thumbs-up, wethinks!

• Reaction by Herbert, others to gay marriage ruling is rotten

Bravo, Mr. Clark!

Best thumbnail analysis of the current Utah Gay Marriage legal situation yet!

Weber County Officials: Marriages Will Be Performed Today

Just a little something for our "outcast" Weber County-situated WCF LGBT friends who might want to BE legally binded" in their relationships over the weekend

Take this for what it's worth, since we haven't been able to independently verify any of this:

On the heels of yesterday's monumental U.S. Federal Court ruling , and in the wake of this morning's magnificent Cathy McKitrick story, we learn from several sources that our local Weber/Ogden government public agencies will be open during a short time window to issue marriage licences today, and to allow "non-traditional" couples to be promptly "hitched":

Via Weber County Forum's good friend, James Humphreys:

"Rudi: this is James Humphreys calling I was wondering if you could put something out for me today.. [Ogden Mayor Mike] Caldwell will be available to perform wedding ceremony today for those who would like to do so and the Weber County clerks office will be open for a few hours this afternoon to help those who would like to receive marriage licenses. take(?) given there's a short week next week for Christmas and the staff is already gonna be inundated with requests on Monday. This could be the pressure valve for them so if you wouldn't mind passing that word along I would be very very grateful Sir. Thank you.

Via Equality Utah:

Weber County Clerk's office: They will open from 1 to 2 pm, anyone in line at 2pm will be served. The front doors will not be open, so you have to park in the garage, and go in the entrance from the garage. The address is 2380 Washington BLVD. The garage entrance to the Weber Center is off of 24th street.

Just a little something for our heretofor "outcast" WCF LGBT friends who might want to legally "bind" their relationships over the weekend.

Yeah.  The timeline is a mite fuzzy.  Might be worth the extra effort, though, for "non traditional" couples  to "press" to receive the legal benefits of their mutual commitment and love, we believe.

Update 12/21/13 6:43 p.m.:  Well... we gotta say this totally sucks:

• 300 gay couples turned away at Weber County office

Of course, nobody ever believed that achieving a level playing field for equal rights in Utah would be easy, did we?

Hang in people. Ultimately, "We" Shall Overcome, right?

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...