LGBT activists: Nevada is ‘very smart’ to stop defending marriage equality ban in court

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/10/lgbt-activists-nevada-is-very-smart-to-stop-defending-marriage-equality-ban-in-court/



LGBT activists: Nevada is ‘very smart’ to stop defending marriage equality ban in court
By Arturo Garcia
Monday, February 10, 2014 21:09 EST

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval’s (R) administration decided on Monday not to defend the state’s marriage equality ban, prompting some praise from local LGBT activists.

“That’s very smart on his part,” GetEQUAL lead organizer for Nevada Derek Washington told The Raw Story Monday evening. “That is basically the best political move he’s made in years.”

The Associated Press reported that Sandoval is backing Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D) withdrawal of the state’s brief to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals supporting Question 2 against a legal challenge by eight same-sex couples. The appeals court took on the case after a federal judge in Reno upheld the law in 2012.

“After thoughtful review and analysis, the state has determined that its arguments grounded upon equal protection and due process are no longer sustainable,” Masto wrote in a motion to the appeals court. Sandoval was quoted by the AP as saying that after consulting with Masto, his administration felt “this case is no longer defensible in court.”

[dbackjon]

1. Great news!