Same Sex Marriage In Idaho [UPDATE]

On Tuesday, the San Francisco based 9th US Circuit court of Appeals struck down Idaho's long standing ban on gay marriage.According to the ruling, preventing same-sex couples from marrying and refusing to recognize same-sex marriages celebrated in other states, the old Idaho law imposed profound legal, financial, social and psychic harms on many Idahoans.

While it was unclear exactly when marriage licenses would start being issued, many couples believe that it would've been today because the mandate read "shall issue forthwith" and meant that couples wouldn't have to wait for the standard 7-day time span for the ruling to take affect.  However, Idaho attorney general Lawrence Wasden filed for an emergency motion to recall the mandate so it's unclear if any licenses will be issued today.  Minutes later US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy blocked the appeals court ruling that mad gay marriage legal in Idaho on Tuesday.  Regardless of the motion, there is a celebration planned for this morning at 8 AM at the Ada County Courthouse supporting equal marriage rights.

After yesterday's ruling, Governor Otter issued the following statement

"Today's decision by the 9th Circuit is disappointing, but not unexpected. I will carefully evaluate the opinion, along with yesterday's surprising decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, and talk with legislative leaders and the Attorney General before determining our path forward. The stay on same-sex marriage in Idaho remains in effect until we are directed otherwise by the 9th Circuit."

 

Republican US Representative Raul Labrador went on to explain that elected officials should work to guarantee the religious liberty of people who believe in traditional marriage.  He feels that marriage should be up to the states not unelected judges.

With election day less that a month away, have the statements regarding same sex marriage changed the way you will vote at the polls?