ACLU will Challenge Gay Marriage Bans in PA, NC, and VA

Jul 9, 2013
Gay Media & Press Network

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PrideFlagLARGE 300x199 ACLU will Challenge Gay Marriage Bans in PA, NC, and VA

credit: Doug Magditch, HisBigD.com

Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union announced it is launching three new federal marriage cases. The ACLU is challenging gay marriage bans in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia.

“These cases are step two of our two-pronged, post-DOMA, post-Prop 8 plan for winning the freedom to marry nationwide,” explained the ACLU in a Tuesday news release.

These cases are a direct response to the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act on June 26.

The Pennsylvania case, Whitewood v. Corbett, involves 21 Pennsylvanians who are fighting the state’s ban. Among them is widow Maureen Hennessey. This is a video of Hennessey’s story:

The ACLU is also adding marriage definitions to an existing case, seeking adoption rights in North Carolina. That case, Fisher-Borne v. Smith, is seeking second-parent adoption rights for six same-sex couples.

Finally, Lambda Legal and the ACLU announced Tuesday that, in the coming weeks, they will file a federal case to fight Virginia’s ban on gay marriage.

“The end of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act opens a new chapter in our work to ensure same-sex couples and their families across the country are treated with dignity and respect,” said Greg Nevins, Supervising Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office. “We know that many same-sex couples and their families have waited a long time and we are excited to announce that the campaign for the freedom to marry is coming south.”

The ACLU is calling on gay couples in Virginia who have experienced discrimination to fill out a survey. Those who fill out the survey may be included in ACLU’s campaign.

Gay marriage is legal in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

New Jersey and New Mexico are the only states with no same-sex marriage law (either for or against).

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