Arkansas plans to appeal same-sex marriage ruling

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By CHRISTINA HUYNH

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Lawyers for the state followed through with their promise to appeal a judge's decision overturning the constitutional amendment overwhelmingly passed by voters in 2004 banning gay marriage.

But not before 15 licenses were issued for same-sex couples in northwest Arkansas' Carroll County. Gay marriage arrived in the Bible Belt on Saturday, beginning with two women who had traveled overnight to ensure they'd be first in line.

"Thank God," Jennifer Rambo said after Carroll County Deputy Clerk Jane Osborn issued a marriage license to her and Kristin Seaton, a former volleyball player at the University of Arkansas. The Fort Smith couple wed moments later on a sidewalk near the courthouse; the officiant wore a rainbow-colored dress.

In total, 15 licenses were issued for same-sex couples in northwest Arkansas' Carroll County, Osborn said.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140511/us-gay-marriage-arkansas-87e8611c4b.html

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Sheila McFadden, center, and Ken Riley, right, yell words of encouragement at the crowd gathered in front of the Carroll County Courthouse after initially being turned away for a marriage license in Eureka Springs, Ark., Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Eureka Springs, Ark. Same-sex couples were eventually granted marriage licenses, Saturday, in Eureka Springs after a judge overturned Amendment 83, which banned same-sex marriage in the state of Arkansas. (AP Photo/Sarah Bentham)

[Orrex]

1. I'm grateful that Arkansas is working to save our Christian nation from eternal hellfire

Whew!

[Feral Child]

6. Don't forget all the tornadoes,

earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires we could be smitten with because of that damn Gay Agenda.

[doxydad]

2. Maybe Arkansas should worry more...

...about First cousins getting married? Just spit ballin' here....

[RKP5637]

3. Yep! They really need to look in a mirror! Also, look into the backgrounds of

those with such purist views, always lots of dirt, generally, there to be seen. Always makes me wonder about those so interested about others' lives and forcing their attitudes onto them about sexual behavior between consenting adults and those simply wanting to live together with some benefit of legal recognition.

[LiberalArkie]

4. Little Rock on Monday. The circuit clerk ordered that the marriage license software be

updated to be gender neutral for Monday. The attorney generals office said it may take up to 3 days to apply for a stay pending ruling from the state supremes.

The state supremes will more than likely give a stay, but then to the US supremes.

[Iggo]

5. Well of course they do.

[blkmusclmachine]

7. Arkansas, where the GOP wants a state DEATH PENALTY for "wayward, minor children."

http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/10/08/974321/republican-candidate-in-arkansas-says-parents-should-seek-death-penalty-for-rebellious-children/

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Pulaski, Washington, and Carroll counties are issuing same-sex marriage licenses today.

The AG supports it, but is having to defend the ban in court. I don't think this makes Arkansas any different than numerous other states which have had their bans overturned and then appealed.

P.S. Those counties are among the most-populated counties in the state.