FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2014
Contact: Jennifer Horvath, Staff Attorney;
jhorvath@aclu.org, 307.637.4565
CHEYENNE, WY – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
of Wyoming celebrates the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions this morning denying
certiorari in the pending marriage cases.
This is a wonderful victory for same-sex couples who will soon be able
to marry, including right here in Wyoming.
The Supreme Court’s action this morning means the Fourth,
Seventh and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decisions recognizing marriage
equality are now final, and the stays will be lifted in those cases. Marriages
will go forward immediately in some states, other states will soon follow. This
brings the number of states with marriage for same-sex couples to 30.
“The freedom to marry the person you love is coming to
Wyoming soon,” says Jennifer Horvath, staff attorney with the ACLU of
Wyoming. “The Supreme Court’s decisions
this morning means that all states in the Fourth, Seventh and Tenth circuits,
which includes Wyoming, are bound by circuit decisions recognizing marriage for
same-sex couples.”
The Supreme Court’s action this morning sends an
unmistakable signal that the Court is comfortable with the lower court
decisions in favor of marriage equality, and the ACLU thinks that courts will
read that loud and clear. The Tenth Circuit held earlier this year that it is unconstitutional
to exclude same-sex couples from the protections of marriage. Colorado, Kansas,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming are in the Tenth Circuit.
“As happy as we are to see this day arrive in Wyoming, we
know that we have more work to do before LGBT people have equal rights in the
Equality State.” Horvath said. “We encourage public officials in Wyoming to
stop defending discrimination.”
