Kentucky Judge Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

ACLU Applauds Judges Ruling, Encourages State to Uphold Order

February 12, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org

Frankfort, KY – This afternoon Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled Kentucky’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. According to the ruling, Kentucky’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as an institution between “one man and one woman” is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The ruling is not final, and, according to the court, another hearing on the matter will be scheduled in the near future. Comments from ACLU of KY on today’s ruling:

Michael Aldridge, Executive Director, ACLU of Kentucky

“The ACLU of Kentucky applauds today’s ruling. Just as the U.S. Supreme Court found this summer in their decision on the Defense of Marriage Act, denying legally married same-sex couples equal recognition and protection under the law is not only unfair, but it is unconstitutional.”

“The ACLU of Kentucky asks the State to let the ruling stand rather than appealing the decision, as has been done in several other states, most recently in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Mexico and Virginia.”

“If the decision is appealed, the ACLU of Kentucky will file an amicus brief in support of marriage equality.”