Judge sides with couples
By MARC KOVAC; MARC KOVAC | |
Proquest LLC |
Judge
Black's decision was expected -- he announced the contents and filing date earlier this month. And the judge made it clear the ruling "does not require
Black noted multiple federal rulings already have declared similar bans elsewhere on the recognition of gay marriage as unconstitutional.
The
The latter is not allowed under the state's gay marriage ban, a constitutional amendment OK'd by voters in 2004. Plaintiffs in the case argue that the
Three of the women involved are pregnant by means of artificial insemination and expected to give birth later this year. One male couple has an
Black ruled in favor of the couples Monday, writing, "Identification on the child's birth certificate is the basic currency by which parents can freely exercise these protected parental rights and responsibilities. It is also the only common governmentally conferred, uniformly recognized, readily accepted record that establishes identity, parentage and citizenship, and it is required in an array of legal contexts."
The judge wrote birth certificates are used by parents when registering children for school, making decisions about medical treatment, obtaining
He added, "The inability to obtain an accurate birth certificate saddles the child with the life-long disability of a government identity document that does not reflect the child's parentage and burdens the ability of the child's parents to exercise their parental rights and responsibilities."
Black also wrote heterosexual couples who give birth by means of artificial insemination using anonymous donors routinely have their names included on birth certificates.
In a lengthy footnote, the judge issued a temporary stay, pending additional filings and court proceedings, but he did indicate he was not inclined to delay his order for the same-sex couples named in the suit who are set to give birth.
Republican Attorney General
And backers of
"The shockingly intolerant decision by federal
But gay rights groups praised Black's decision.
"This is a landmark decision for
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Wordcount: | 733 |
Jim and Diane Wiles
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