The first same-sex couples have been married in the US state of Arkansas, after a judge threw out a voter-approved ban on gay marriage.
The roughly 100 couples were the first in the states of the traditionally conservative south-east to be wed.
Pulaski County circuit judge Chris Piazza ruled on Friday that the 2004 ban amounted to the unconstitutional "exclusion of a minority".
The state's attorney general has appealed against the ruling.
On Monday, Texas residents Shelly Butler and Susan Barr, who have been together for almost 30 years, became the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in the state of Arkansas, and thereby in the south-east region and the states of the Civil War-era Confederacy.
ANALYSIS:
I think this is great! It sets a great example for other "traditionally conservative" states to push for legislation like this in their respective regions. I think this is excellent progress. The first people standing in line for the marriage licenses and certificates are who you need to use as evidence of gay marriage not ruining the sanctity of matrimony. Being together 30 years and loving your partner should be reason enough to let people marry in peace. Anyway, it is great to show other southern and conservative states that they should do it too.
This is really great! Things like this show that little by little society is making way for equal and accepting rights for all.
ReplyDeletethis is awesome- finally the conservatives are learning to accept the differences in our society and it's great for the gay and lesbian community in the south! progress!!!
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