There were two major marriage equality rulings this week.
First, a federal judge in Montana ruled in favor of marriage equality. This was the final state within the Ninth Circuit to gain the freedom to marry. You can read more about that ruling here. Montana's AG has filed a notice of appeal to the Ninth Circuit.
And, in South Carolina, a second federal judge ruled that the state must recognize out of state marriages of same-sex couples. In addition, state officials went to the Fourth Circuit for a stay of the first marriage equality ruling, and the request was denied. They then went to the SCOTUS for the request, and they were denied again. In addition, the South Carolina Supreme Court lifted the injunction preventing probate judges from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The plaintiffs in the Michigan and Kentucky marriage equality cases have filed petitions for certiorari with the SCOTUS. In addition, the plaintiffs in the Louisiana marriage equality case have also filed a petition for certiorari in the hopes that the SCOTUS will accept their case prior to the Fifth Circuit ruling.
Arizona state officials have appealed the favorable marriage equality ruling in that state to the Ninth Circuit. They say they're trying to save on attorney fees.
In Florida, AG Pam Bondi has requested that the stay in that federal marriage equality case be extended (from the Eleventh Circuit). Judge Hinkle's stay expires on January 5.
In Kansas, the state Supreme Court lifted the stay that halted same-sex marriages in Johnson County. A number of counties in Kansas are still not issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and a number of state agencies are refusing to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples. So, the ACLU is adding more state agencies to its marriage equality lawsuit.
There were marriage equality hearings in Arkansas on Thursday in both federal district court and the state Supreme Court.
In Missouri, the plaintiffs have requested that the federal district court lift the stay in that marriage equality case.
The Ninth Circuit has denied Alaska's request for an initial en banc hearing for the marriage equality case out of that state.
The Fifth Circuit has scheduled oral arguments for January 9, 2015 for the Texas and Louisiana marriage equality cases.
Mexico's Supreme Court has ruled in favor of marriage equality for Baja, California. Weddings can begin on November 21.