Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, July 24, 2014
(UNDATED) - Ten other states have joined in Indiana’s appeal of a federal ruling that declared the state’s law banning same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
The attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah argue that it's not the role of the judicial branch to determine if same-sex unions should be allowed.
"Regardless of someone's personal beliefs regarding whether same-sex marriage should be permitted as a matter of policy, doing so is not the role of the judicial branch," wrote Colorado Solicitor General Michael Francisco in his court brief.
"The moral, political, and social issues surrounding this case are profound and profoundly important," he continued. "However, they are distinct from the purely legal principles that this court can address."
Last month, a federal judge ruled Indiana's law banning same-sex marriage unconstitutional, setting off a flurry of marriages around the state. Those came to a halt days later, when an appeals court issued a stay of the judge's ruling. A memo from Gov. Mike Pence told state agencies not to recognize the marriages.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has asked the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the appeal instead of the three-judge panel that typically handles such appeals. The ACLU of Indiana and civil rights advocacy group Lambda Legal oppose the request.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.