We Have #20! Indiana Ban On Marriage Equality Struck Down; Couples Getting Married Now

In what has become a regular occurrence for the last 12 months, a federal judge has struck down a state ban on marriage equality. This is the 21st consecutive time it has happened, and the setting was Indiana, where federal judge Richard L. Young ruled that:

The court has never witnessed a phenomenon throughout the federal court system as is presented with this issue. In less than a year, every federal district court to consider the issue has reached the same conclusion in thoughtful and thorough opinions – laws prohibiting the celebration and recognition of same-sex marriages are unconstitutional. 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 judge refused to issue a stay on his ruling and same-sex couples have already been married in the Hoosier state.

Indiana becomes the 20th state where same-sex couples can get married right now. However, since it is a red state like Wisconsin, one would expect the attorney general and the governor to file emergency appeals to place the effect of the ruling on hold until an appellate court and/or the Supreme Court can decide this question once and for all.