The only US jurisdiction currently to allow homosexual weddings has suspended them while equally moving to grant such unions historic legal recognition. A circuit judge in Multnomah County, Oregon, ordered a freeze on gay marriage licenses to give the State Legislature a chance to formalise them. Judge Frank Bearden also ordered the state to recognise the 3,022 licenses issued in the county since 3 March. The move is a first for the entire US, where the issue has divided opinion.
"These are the first legally recognised gay marriages in the country," said Dave Fidanque, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Oregon. "In no other same-sex marriages that have taken place has there been a court order saying the state must recognise them."
Roey Thorpe, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, conveyed the emotional impact of the judge's ruling: "While you already know in your hearts that you are married, an Oregon court has just taken a giant step toward making sure the state treats your marriage just like all other marriages."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3644651.stm
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
