Gay Marriage Update: Five States Gain Equality, Michigan Decision Expected Soon
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Oct. 6, 2014)
The United States Supreme Court declined hearing cases related to same-sex marriage, meaning that in Indiana, Wisconsin, Utah, Oklahoma and Virgina Circuit Court decisions striking down gay marriage bans will be upheld and marriage equality will official be legal.
Without comment, the SCOTUS denied review of seven petitions: Bogan v. Baskin (Indiana); Walker v. Wolf (Wisconsin); Herbert v. Kitchen (Utah); McQuigg v. Bostic (Virginia); Rainey v. Bostic (Virginia); Schaefer v. Bostic (Virginia); and Smith v. Bishop (Oklahoma).
This brings the number of states that have legalized same-sex marriage to 30 plus the District of Columbia. Michigan is not yet one of them.
Michiganders are awaiting a 6th Circuit Court decision on DeBoer v. Snyder, a case where a Hazel Park couple sued the State and Oakland County for access to second parent adoption and marriage. They won their case, and in a brief window of time 300 same-sex couples got legally married. However the State was able to get a stay in the case, putting the ruling on hold, pending appeal. The marriages are now on hold as the State will not recognize them until a higher court forces them to.
The 6th Circuit Court could rule at any time, and the State is likely to appeal to the SCOTUS. The 6th Circuit also has yet to issue rulings on cases in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
For previous stories on same-sex marriage in Michigan see:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/22/arguments-heard-in-same-sex-marriage-case/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/14/aclu-sues-michigan-to-recognize-marriages-of-same-sex-couples/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/28/federal-government-recognizes-michigan-same-sex-marriages/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/27/senators-and-reps-ask-us-ag-to-recognize-michigan-gay-marriages/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/26/state-wont-recognize-same-sex-marriages-made-over-weekend/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/24/state-spent-40000-on-testimony-in-deboer-case-plans-appeal-2/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/22/first-gay-marriages-in-michigan-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/22/same-sex-marriages-put-on-hold-as-temporary-stay-is-granted/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/21/judge-rules-gay-marriage-ban-struck-down/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/29/treasury-recognizes-all-same-sex-marriages-for-tax-purposes-2/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/02/01/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-cases-explained/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/02/24/hazel-park-couples-week-in-court-begins/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/27/hazel-park-case-could-pave-the-way-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/03/09/judge-decides-to-wait-on-adoption-gay-marriage-decision-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/05/demonstrators-try-to-stay-warm-while-states-case-runs-cold/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/02/ferndalians-channel-leaders-past-spread-love-in-hopes-for-equality-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/02/opponents-to-equality-make-big-showing-in-support-biblical-marriage/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/02/08/ultimate-lgbt-wedding-expo-comes-to-southfield-april-12/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/10/05/wayne-county-prosecutor-kym-worthy-steps-up-to-support-hazel-park-couple-video/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/24/clerk-brings-in-new-lawyers-to-defend-in-hazel-park-couples-case/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/02/hazel-park-lesbian-couples-case-moves-forward/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/28/strikes-down-michigan-domestic-partner-health-care-ban/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/26/reaction-to-gay-marriage-rulings/