One of four couples suing the state of Idaho, Lori and Sharene Watsen with their son.
After yesterday's
ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturning same sex marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho, confusion has reigned. The judges included in their initial ruling a seven-day waiting period to give the states time to respond, but then several hours after issuing the ruling, lifted that delay. County clerks in Idaho were
prepared to issue licenses starting Wednesday morning at 8:00, and crowds gathered at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, in anticipation.
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, however, filed an emergency request for an immediate stay, and about 10 minutes before marriages could begin, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy temporarily blocked them. Kennedy's order asks Idaho plaintiffs to respond by the end of the day Thursday. Kennedy's order also applies to Nevada, which had not requested the stay.
Daily Kos spoke with activist and investigative reporter Jody May-Chang Wednesday in Boise, who was both pleased with the 9th Circuit's ruling and angry at Otter.
We got married in Seattle, in 2013, in January because we couldn't get married here. This morning we woke up and we were next of kin, and then come here and everybody literally got the door slammed in their face, saying that for those of us who have already been married that we're virtual strangers again, after 18 years and raising a son together. Butch Otter should be ashamed of himself. He's just rubbing salt in the wound, twisting the knife. As far as I'm concerned, he's on the wrong side of history on this one, and I hope that this matters in a positive way for us at the ballot box in November.
Otter's not alone, as conservative governors bound by the Supreme Court's refusal to take up state marriage ban appeals are
vowing to fight until the bitter end, and are refusing to begin issuing marriage licenses until they are forced to do so. For all the governors—from Otter to Sam Brownback in Kansas—who are up for re-election this November, hopefully it will drive turnout and retribution will come at the ballot box. In the meantime, we can all take heart in the
major smack down 9th Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt gave Otter.
[Otter] also states, in conclusory fashion, that allowing same-sex marriage will lead opposite-sex couples to abuse alcohol and drugs, engage in extramarital affairs, take on demanding work schedules, and participate in time-consuming hobbies. We seriously doubt that allowing committed same-sex couples to settle down in legally recognized marriages will drive opposite-sex couples to sex, drugs,and rock-and-roll.
There are plenty of celebration-in-limbo photos from the Ada County Courthouse below the fold.
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12:33 PM PT:
BREAKING: Supreme Court justice clears same-sex marriage to begin in Nevada, keeps Idaho on hold.
— @AP
Ruth Osterhout and Catherine Scott, who celebrated their 40th anniversary last year by getting married in Hawaii.
Cakes donated by a Boise bakery to celebrate marriage equality in Idaho.
Maria and Jody May-Chang married in Seattle on January 29, 2104. They've been together 18 years and have raised a son, Cody.
Members of the LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Idaho.
Donna Harwood, Judy Cross, and Nikki Leonard, ready to celebrate eventually.
This dog is on the right side of history.