The latest victory for marriage equality advocates comes from Michigan, via the Associated Press:
Michigan’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional, a federal judge said Friday as he struck down a law that was widely embraced by voters a decade ago—the latest in a recent series of decisions overturning similar laws across the country. U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman announced his ruling after a rare two-week trial that mostly focused on the impact of same-sex parenting on children.
There was no indication that the judge was suspending his decision while the state can appeal. The decision was released shortly after 5 p.m., when most county clerk offices in Michigan were closed. Clerks issue marriage licenses. It was not clear if gay marriages could begin immediately.
In advance of the ruling, the Detroit Free Press suggested that Friedman was expected to stay the decision while the appeals process plays out. Since December, statewide bans on same-sex marriage have been overturned in Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, and Virginia—although appeals have put those cases on hold for the time being. Currently, a total of 17 states (and the District of Columbia) allow gays and lesbians to walk down the aisle.
