Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban struck down by Federal Court
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban July 28, stating the ban was unconstitutional. The decision was handed down by Judge Henry Floyd saying, “We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable. However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws.”
The ruling will not take effect immediately, but instead will wait for the mandate is issued “7 days after expiration of the time to file a petition for rehearing expires, or 7 days after entry of an order denying a timely petition for panel rehearing, rehearing en banc, or motion for stay of mandate, whichever is later.”
Because this was a Federal Court of Appeals, this decision affects a wide array of states’ federal court decisions including Maryland (which already has same-sex marriage,) West Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Read the full court opinion below:
