PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has thrown out Oregon’s same-sex marriage ban, marking the 13th legal victory for gay marriage advocates since the U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned part of a federal ban.
State officials earlier refused to defend Oregon’s voter-approved ban and said they wouldn’t appeal.
The National Organization for Marriage sought to intervene, but both U.S. District Judge Michael McShane in Eugene and a federal appeals court rejected its attempts to argue in favor of the ban.
Many county clerks in the state began carrying out same-sex marriages almost immediately after Monday’s ruling, as jubilant couples rushed to tie the knot.
The Oregon Family Council released a strongly worded statement Monday saying the state colluded with gay-rights groups to sidestep the will of voters, and a judge allowed it.
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237-c-14-(Jonathan Cooper, AP correspondent)-“married in Oregon”-AP correspondent Jonathan Cooper reports Oregon has joined the ranks of states with legal gay marriage. (19 May 2014)
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240-c-21-(Jonathan Cooper, AP correspondent)-“the Portland area (second reference)”-AP correspondent Jonathan Cooper reports Oregon’s history with gay marriage highlights the political difference between cities like Portland and Eugene and rural regions that hold many conservative voters. (19 May 2014)
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239-c-20-(Jonathan Cooper, AP correspondent)-“for some time”-AP correspondent Jonathan Cooper reports the Oregon ruling is a disapointment for conservatives. (19 May 2014)
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238-c-13-(Jonathan Cooper, AP correspondent)-“could defend it”-AP correspondent Jonathan Cooper reports Oregon officials chose not to defend the state’s 2004 voter approved same-sex marriage ban in federal court. (19 May 2014)
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APPHOTO ORPOR115: Deanna Geiger, left, and Janine Nelson, her partner of 32 years, react to news that they can get their Oregon marriage license, Monday, May 19, 2014, in Portland, Ore., following a federal judge’s ruling the ban of same-sex marriage unconstitutional. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Faith Cathcart) MAGS OUT; TV OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; THE MERCURY OUT; WILLAMETTE WEEK OUT; PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP OUT. (19 May 2014)
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APPHOTO ORPOR111: Jay Rummell-West, son of Benjamin West and Paul Rummell, who are plaintiffs in a court case on same-sex marriage, joins his parents during a news conference announcing a federal judge’s ruling, Monday, May 19, 2014, in Portland, Ore. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane ruled Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Michael Lloyd) MAGS OUT; TV OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; THE MERCURY OUT; WILLAMETTE WEEK OUT; PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP OUT. (19 May 2012)
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