U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II in Louisville struck down the state’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages, a measure passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2004 with 74 percent of the vote. The ruling dealt with law, tradition and religion and drew reaction from religious and political leaders.
“The beauty of our Constitution is that it accommodates our individual faith’s definition of marriage while preventing the government from unlawfully treating us differently. This is hardly surprising since it was written by people who came to America to find both freedom of religion and freedom from it.” - Heyburn.
“That Kentucky’s laws are rooted in tradition, however, cannot alone justify their infringement on individual liberties.” - Heyburn.
“Anyone who is a same sex parent faces a lot of barriers, opposition, discrimination and so this will eliminate one of those barriers.” - Gregory Bourke of Louisville, one of the eight plaintiffs in the suit.
“We’ve long-maintained in our constitution since that decision, we’ve made it abundantly clear that marriage is between a man and a woman.” - Senate President Pro Tem Katie Stine, R-Covington, one of the 2004 amendment’s original co-sponsors.
“If a state like Utah were ever to legalize polygamy, Kentucky would be forced to recognize it under this decision.” - Martin Cothran, spokesman, The Family Foundation of Kentucky.
“It’s recognition of equal protection of rights that Americans should have been able to enjoy for over 150 years, at least.” - Dan Canon, attorney who represented the plaintiffs.
“I took an oath when I was sworn in as Attorney General to uphold Kentucky’s constitution. I did my duty and defended Kentucky’s constitutional amendment in federal court. Today, Judge Heyburn issued a decision holding that Kentucky’s constitutional amendment conflicts with the United States Constitution.” - Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway
“As Heyburn declares that the Commonwealth must recognize gay marriages performed in other states, the Constitution of Kentucky is being undermined.” - Paul Chitwood, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, the state’s largest religious organization with 750,000 members.
“They’ve been waiting to be able to be together legally in their homes.” - Shannon Fauver, attorney who represented the plaintiffs.
“I am proud of the four Kentucky families who are standing up for marriage equality in this lawsuit and of the thousands more who continue this fight every day. Today’s ruling is an important step forward in the march toward recognition of all marriages under the law and full equality in our Commonwealth.” - U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)
“Today, this nation took another bold step toward its fundamental constitutional principles of equal justice under the law.” - Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign.
“If the decision is upheld, Kentucky will have to recognize as marriages same-sex relationships that were given marriage certificates in other nations, but there is no reason to limit the ruling to same-sex relationships.” - John Eastman, chairman, board of directors, National Organization for Marriage.
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