Missouri Judge Orders State To Recognize Outside Same-Sex Marriages


A judge in Kansas City has ordered the state of Missouri to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples that were performed in other states. The ruling,  handed down by Judge J. Dale Youngs, could impact at least 5400 couples who entered into marriage outside of the state.

'"While having a standardized definition of marriage that promotes 'consistency, uniformity, and predictability' may be a legitimate governmental interest," Youngs wrote, " there is no logical relationship between that interest and laws that discriminate against gay men and lesbians who have been married in jurisdictions in which same-sex marriages are legal."

The 10 couples who filed the suit, Barrier v. Vasterling, in February, do not ask for the state to repeal its ban on same-sex marriage, but simply seek recognition of their out-of-state marriages. They were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri."

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