Arizona’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban in Jeopardy

Three cases challenging bans on same-sex marriage will be heard today in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.  None of these cases are Arizona cases, but because Arizona is part of the 9th Circuit, the ruling in these cases will directly impact Arizona.

The cases being argued today originated in Hawaii, Idaho and Nevada.  According to an article today in USA Today, the 9th Circuit’s rulings on these cases are expected to broadly strike down same-sex marriage bans in all states within the 9th Circuit.   To read the full article, click here:

Although the 9th Circuit opinions are expected to declare the same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional and will likely be broad enough to cover Arizona’s same-sex marriage ban too, the rulings will probably not result in gay couples’ being able to marry in Arizona right away.  In other Circuit Court of Appeals cases finding state bans on gay marriage to be unconstitutional, either the Circuit Courts of Appeals themselves or the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the rulings from taking effect until the U.S. Supreme Court hears the cases or decides not to hear them.

It is likely that the 9th Circuit Court’s rulings on the Hawaii, Idaho and Nevada cases will go to the Supreme Court next year, with a ruling likely by late June, 2015.  Arizonans on both sides of this issue will be watching those rulings closely.

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