The Office of Nebraska’s Attorney General is asking the courts to put a hold on a federal lawsuit that challenges its denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples until the United States Supreme Court rules in another case similar to the Nebraska one.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Nebraska isn’t too happy about the delay. The ACLU filed the suit in U.S. District Court Omaha on behalf of more than a half a dozen couples who were seeking the right to have their marriages that happened in other states recognized in Nebraska or who were seeking the right to marry. The same-sex ban was approved by voters in the year 2000.
ACLU’s executive director, Danielle Conrad, shared with the media:
We really see the state’s most recent effort as a delay, and an unfortunate one at that.
She also revealed that the ACLU is going to ask to move forward with the hearing the following week instead of delaying it and push the state to recognize marriages from states where same-sex marriage is legal.
The motion requests the judge to direct the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to permit same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses and to change the forms that are provided to the clerks of the state county that now have a black space for groom and bride.
South Dakota’s ruling on January 12, 2015 stroke down its same-sex ban and the majority of the Midwest is getting to be very same-sex marriage friendly. Nebraska same-sex marriage laws aren’t in tune with the rest of the Midwest and this is harming Nebraskans, Conrad state. She said that every single day of the delay is allowing people to be discriminated and harmed. She continued that it is very important to end discrimination and to ensure the rights of all the people of the state of Nebraska, regardless of who they love and who they are.
President Barack Obama has expressed his wish that the Supreme Court issue a ruling on the same-sex marriage that will make all unions nationwide legal. He said:
My hope is that they go ahead and recognize what I think the majority of people in America now recognize. Two people who love each other and are treating reach other with respect, and aren’t bothering anybody else, why would the law treat them differently.
Image Source: Telegraph
