As marriage equality notched up one victory after another in 2012 and 2013, opponents bleated a repetitive refrain: those were all in liberal, blue states. Gay activists had reached their limit. In red states, traditional marriage would continue to prevail.
Not so.
Over the year end, in quick succession two red state judges (first Utah, then Oklahoma) ruled that state bans on same - sex marriage were in conflict with the US constitution, and so struck down those bans. Since then, both rulings have had stays placed on their execution, but meanwhile, there've been a series of further notable decisions in other red and purple states, some in just the past week. Individually, each of these is less dramatic than the Utah and Oklahoma decisions, but collectively they are impressive, and reinforce the impression that the writing is now on the wall for gay marriage bans, even in red states.
In just the past week,
In Kentucky, a judge ruled today that the portion of the state ban that prohibits recognition of out of state same - sex marriages, is in conflict with the US constitution. His reason, that the ban violates the "equal protection" clause, and that "tradition" does not, in law, justify discrimination, could well be applied to a substantive challenge to the ban itself.
Also today, a hearing was held in a Texan court in one of several legal challenges to the state ban on gay marriage.
In Idaho, a judge ruled earlier that the state ban on gay marriage cannot be used to exclude a same - sex partner from adopting a spouse's child.
In Nevada, an obscure ruling against discrimination in jury selection, led to the Republican governor, and also the Democratic Attorney General, declining to defend in court the state's ban on gay marriage.
Fresh legal challenges to state bans were announced in Lousiana, and Missouri.
As at 12/02/2014,in addition to suits challenging things like survivor benefits and parental /adoption issues, direct challenges to gay marriage bans have been already been filed in the following 21 US states. In the light of today's partial ruling, expect Kentucky to join this list soon - and Mississippi, where several couples have applied for marriage licences, in expectation of being denied, which would prepare the way for a full legal challenge. Is there anywhere in the US of A, where state bans on marriage equality are not under threat?
Arkansas
Arizona
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Wisconsin
(More details for these at Marriage Equality USA)
Even in the churches, including the Catholic Church, there's progress - but that's another story.
(Cross-posted, and slightly adapted, from Queering the Church).