Northwest News Network

Your Guide To The Legal Battle Over Same Sex Marriage In Idaho

Amber and Rachael filed their lawsuit against Idaho in Nov. 2013. They were married Oct. 15, 2014.In November 2013, eight women -- four couples -- sued the state of Idaho over its 2006 voter-approved constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.The plaintiffs, Susan Latta and Traci Ehlers, Lori Watsen and Sharene Watsen, Shelia Robertson and Andrea Altmayer, and Amber Beierle and Rachael Robertson, say Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage violates equal protection and due process guarantees.Two of the couples have been legally married in other states and two have tried to get Idaho marriage licenses and been denied.Their case went to U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale in May 2014. On May 13, eight days after Dale heard the case, she struck down Idaho's same-sex marriage ban.Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden appealed that ruling in an effort to uphold Idaho's Constitution as approved by voters in 2006.On Oct. 7, 2014, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Dale's ruling, striking down Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage. After more than a week of legal challenges, same-sex marriages began Oct. 15, 2014 in Idaho.

Federal Judge In Oregon Rules In Favor Of Gay Marriage

NWNews | By Chris Lehman,

Chris Lehman

Published May 19, 2014 at 1:08 PM MDT

"Supporters of same-sex marriage gathered outside a federal courthouse in Eugene prior to a hearing in the case."

Same-sex couples now have the right to marry in Oregon. A federal judge Monday overturned the state's ban on gay marriage. U.S. District Judge MichaelMcShane'sruling clears the way for weddings to begin immediately.

Same-sex couples lined up this morning outside the Multnomah County marriage license office anticipating a ruling in their favor. Gay rights advocates say couples plan to get married throughout the afternoon and evening in Portland and Eugene.

The Judge's opinion comes in a pair of lawsuits filed last fall by four same-sex couples. The couples had sued for the right to get married in Oregon despite a decade-old ballot measure that banned gay marriage in the state. Oregon Attorney General EllenRosenblumdecided not to defend the law. She said she didn't think the ban would stand up to a federal constitutional challenge and so she didn't want to use state resources to defend it.

Less than two days before oral arguments were scheduled last month, the National Organization For Marriage filed a Motion to Intervene. The national group wanted to defend the ban in the absence of a state defense. JudgeMcShaneturned down the motion, saying NOM had no standing in the case. NOM then appealed to the9thCircuit Court of Appeals for an emergency stay. The court denied that motion this morning.

If the judge had ruled against same-sex marriage, gay rights advocates in Oregon were prepared to file a state initiative to overturn the ban at the ballot box this fall.

Federal Judge In Oregon Rules In Favor Of Gay Marriage

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