Same-sex marriages in Oregon can move full steam ahead without worry for now thanks to a recent decision by the United States Supreme Court. It declined to stop the marriages while the intervention of a group that opposes gay marriage is considered in a federal appeals court. In Portland, 245 same-sex marriage licenses have been obtained since the May 19 ruling by a U.S. District judge that declared the gay marriage ban in the state unconstitutional.
In response to that ruling, the National Organization for Marriage filed a request to intervene in the case. That request was denied without comment by the full lower court. Now, the group is trying to appeal via the federal appeals court.
In other states around the country, the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses has been halted while the appeals courts consider the cases. That isn’t the case in Oregon. It is thought that the difference is because of the different circumstances. Where other states are challenging the constitutionality of the same-sex marriages, Oregon’s case deals with the intervention of an outside party into the matter.
In what is a victory for same-sex couples, the Attorney General’s Office has announced that they aren’t appealing the May 19 ruling by the district judge. That same office is also fighting against the appeal by the National Organization for Marriage.
Federal appeals are sometimes necessary when a court provides a different verdict than the one you feel should be given. In this case, it is important that you understand the appeals process so you can have the best chance of success.
Source: Seattle Times, “U.S. high court refuses to halt same-sex weddings in Oregon” Cathy McLain, Jun. 04, 2014
