A panel of three federal judges, all appointed by George W. Bush, were split 2-1 about issuing a stay of the U.S. District Court’s ruling that Michigan must allow same-sex couples to marry. Circuit Judge John M. Rogers and Kentucky Chief District Judge Karen Caldwell voted to grant the state’s motion for a stay, while Circuit Judge Helene White dissented.
The approach of the majority seemed to be “Ours is not to reason why,” as … <Read More>
Senior U.S. District Judge Bernard A. Friedman ruled on March 21 that the Michigan Marriage Amendment and the statutes that implement it, which prohibit same-sex marriages in Michigan, violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Judge Friedman ordered the state to stop enforcing the ban. Friedman released his opinion shortly after business hours, so county clerk offices around the state were already closed for the weekend and marriage licenses could not be immediately … <Read More>