Same-Sex Marriage: Supreme Court or Bust?

This week, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court ruling that Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional.

“We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable,” wrote Judge Henry F. Floyd in the decision. “However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws.”

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced afterward that he would stop defending that state’s same-sex marriage ban. North Carolina is also in the 4th District.

“Simply put, it is time to stop making arguments we will lose and instead move forward, knowing that the ultimate resolution will likely come from the U.S. Supreme Court,” Cooper said.

Is it time for the Supreme Court to act on gay marriage bans? Tell us in the comments.

The Washington Post notes that marriage bans have been invalidated in more than 20 legal decisions since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year.

In Georgia, the Smyrna City Council is looking beyond a state same-sex marriage ban. The council is considering whether to provide benefits to same-sex married couples, like health insurance and bereavement privileges.

Florida has two (going on three) county court decisions ruling against that state’s 2008 ban on same-sex marriage.

Is it time for the Supreme Court to act on gay marriage bans? Tell us in the comments.

Patch file photo