Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum won't defend state's ban on gay marriage

[alp227]

Source: The Oregonian

SALEM -- Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said in a legal filing Thursday that she will not defend the state's ban on gay marriage and argued that the ban "cannot withstand a federal constitutional challenge under any standard of review."

Rosenblum's decision was contained in a brief filed in Eugene with U.S. District Judge Michael McShane, who is hearing a legal challenge to the ban on same-sex marriage that was placed in the state Constitution by voters in 2004.

Federal judges in several states have struck down similar bans in recent months, saying that they conflict with last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision striking major provisions of a law prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Rosenblum's action means that both the plaintiffs -- who include four same-sex couples -- and the main defendant in the case oppose the ban as unconstitutional. Attorneys involved in the case have previously said the judge could issue a ruling as early as late spring or summer.

Read more: http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2014/02/oregon_attorney_general_ellen.html

[Arugula Latte]

1. That's great.

We are voting on legalizing same-sex marriage here in November and we are going to fucking vote to REVERSE the ban!

[davidpdx]

14. I'm from Oregon as well

Overseas voter who is consistent in getting my ballot in very early. It will be interesting to see which happens first the court overturning it or the actual vote. From the look of this article it looks like the court.

[classof56]

2. Good for Ellen! Glad I voted for her!

Like our state's motto, she flies with her own wings!

[riversedge]

3. While Wisconsin AG vigorously defends our ban!!

[Cha]

4. Why the heck would Oregon have

a ban on Gay Marriage!?

[alp227]

5. Blame the Anti-Gay Constitutional Invasion of 2004.

Specifically in Oregon, Measure 36.

In the year where George W. Bush was re-elected, the voters of several states voted to codify anti-gay discrimination in their state constitutions:
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Utah

[Cha]

9. Thanks alp.. Oregon is the only progressive

State in that bunch.

The OP is good news!

[alp227]

11. But 4 years later, blue California would vote for Prop 8, similar to Measure 36.

Colorado would also vote to ban gay marriage in 2006.

And in 2009, Maine (another blue state) voted against legalizing gay marriage.

The first proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage to lose in the ballot box was in Arizona in 2006, but voters promptly voted in another ban in 2008.

[Cha]

12. Wow.. it looks like the

Tide is Definitely Turning!

[davidpdx]

13. I'm from Oregon and voted against it

I was (and still am) overseas in 2004 and was shocked it passed.

[Cha]

15. I know, huh? I'm in Hawai'i

and it's legal!

[davidpdx]

16. I'm also shocked it's taken 10 years to reverse

(assuming this will be the year it happens). The ballot in Oregon is going to be chock full of measures this November.

[Cha]

17. Good Luck to Oregon, davidpdx

[Maedhros]

6. The sooner we get that stupid law off our books, the better.

Good on ya', Ellen.

[Cha]

10. Really!

[JudyM]

7. Here's hoping it goes the way of VA's marriage ban, and as rapidly after our AG refused to defend it

[geomon666]

8. Good