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Gay couples in Arkansas will not be able to get wedding licenses, even though the state Supreme Court upheld a ruling that struck down the ban on same-sex marriage, because a separate law that prevents clerks issuing the licenses to same-sex couples is still on the books.The justices, in their decision, offered no direction to the county clerks, who knew before the ruling came out that guidance for clerks was still on the books. They had wanted to know what to do with the conflicting findings: the gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional, but clerks aren't authorized to do anything about it.
After Piazza's decision last Friday, clerks in five counties responded by issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Through Wednesday evening, 456 gay couples in Arkansas had since received permission to marry, according to an Associated Press canvass of county clerks. Pulaski and Washington counties issued licenses Wednesday, but said after the ruling they would stop.
Couples that already have licenses can still get married.
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I was so proud of my birth state for pushing this through. And in a Bible-belt state no less! Allowing same-marriage is an on-going fight that is slowly but surely making it's way across this great land.
Then, of course the state backpedaled and put everything on hold. Surprised? No. Disappointed? You bet. But it was a small step in the right direction...
Small, steady steps. :)
Marriage is being redefined as society's attitudes evolve, and the majority of Americans now support gay marriage. As of Jan. 6, 2014, gay marriage has been legalized in 17 US states (CA, CT, DE, HI, IA, IL, MA, MD, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, RI, VT, and WA) and the District of Columbia. 33 states have gay marriage bans through either laws or constitutional amendments or both.
Three people will win one of my ebooks!
They will get to
pick one of the following: Shadows in the
Night, Wrapped in Leather, or The Harvest:Taken.
Just leave a comment to enter and an email address. The hop ends late on the 24th. I'll announce the winners on the 25th.
Just leave a comment to enter and an email address. The hop ends late on the 24th. I'll announce the winners on the 25th.
~M
