Federal Court strikes down same-sex marriage ban in Indiana

U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young struck down the law banning same-sex couples from marriage today, stating violations against the 14th Amendment.

Young writes, “It is clear that the fundamental right to marry shall not be deprived to some individuals based solely on the person they choose to love. In time, Americans will look at the marriage of couples such as Plaintiffs, and refer to it simply as a marriage — not a same-sex marriage. These couples, when gender and sexual orientation are taken away, are in all respects like the family down the street. The Constitution demands that we treat them as such.”

The ruling takes effect immediately, as no stay has been issued. The state of Indiana has already started issuing marriage licenses.

Indiana’s Attorney General’s office says it will appeal the ruling.

Read more about the decision, court reactions, and the judge’s opinion here.