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January 15, 2014

Judge Overturns Oklahoma Gay Marriage Ban; Utah Unions Get Federal Recognition 
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A federal judge has struck down Oklahoma's ban on same-sex marriage. On
Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Terence Kern ruled Oklahoma's ban violates
the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. The decision is on hold,
however, pending appeals from state officials. It's the second time in a
month that a federal judge has overturned a gay marriage ban in a
traditionally Republican state, following Utah in December. The Supreme
Court later put gay marriages on hold pending Utah's appeal. Utah says
it would not recognize any of the marriages performed during the three
weeks when they were legal, but the Justice Department says they will be
recognized at the federal level.

 

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