From ThinkProgress:
A Missouri state judge ruled Wednesday that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, ordering the St. Louis Recorder of Deeds to begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples.
St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison, an appointee of Gov. Jay Nixon (D), found that “any same sex couple that satisfies all the requirements for marriage under Missouri law, other than being of different sexes, is legally entitled to a marriage license.” Jeff Rainford, Chief of Status for St. Louis, indicated on Twitter that the city “will do so immediately.”
In his opinion, Burlison rejected the state’s interest in a uniform definition of marriage, explaining that a definition could be established that “does not disadvantage people on the basis of sexual orientation.” He also dismissed the argument that same-sex marriage is somehow different than marriage, because “fundamental rights are not dependent on the person seeking to exercise the right.”
Missouri AG Chris Koster, who supports marriage equality, has appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court, but has not sought a stay. That means that same-sex couples will be able to marry in St. Louis (but no other parts of the state) immediately. That he has not sought a stay suggests he wants the ban invalidated for the whole state by the state Supreme Court.