Bourke v. Beshear
Bourke v. Beshear is a federal court challenge to Kentucky's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, filed July 26, 2013, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The plaintiffs are four same-sex couples seeking state recognition of their out-of-state marriages.
On Feb. 12, 2014, U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II struck down part of the gay marriage ban, ruling that Kentucky must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The ruling only required Kentucky to recognize such marriages, and does not deal with the question of whether the state can be required to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as that issue wasn’t brought up in the lawsuits.
[ Complaint ]
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Lack of legal rights makes raising teens more stressful for same-sex couple
Saturday, April 25, 2015Like many dads, when his spouse is traveling out of town, Greg Bourke takes on the role of single parent, shuttling their two teenagers to basketball practice and other activities while working a full-time job. But… -
Kentucky governor makes appeal to Supreme Court in gay marriage case
Friday, December 12, 2014The governor's private attorneys filed the request this week, joining plaintiffs who earlier appealed a lower court ruling that upheld anti-gay marriage laws. -
Michigan, Kentucky couples take gay marriage cases to U.S. Supreme Court
Monday, November 17, 2014WASHINGTON -- A same-sex couple from Michigan is putting the question of the right to marry nationwide squarely before the Supreme Court. The couple's plea to be allowed to marry was being filed Monday. It asks… -
Joy, dismay as gay marriage advocates, opponents assess 6th Circuit ruling
Friday, November 7, 2014One side was euphoric, the other dismayed, but both foes and supporters of same-sex marriage swiftly turned their attention to the U.S. Supreme Court after an against-the-grain appeals court ruling upheld bans or restrictions on gay… -
AUDIO: Kentucky same-sex marriage ban faces federal appeals court
Wednesday, August 6, 2014LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A three-judge panel is now considering whether Kentucky's laws barring same-sex marriage are constitutional. Attorneys representing multiple gay couples told judges from the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati on Wednesday… -
A summary of same-sex marriage cases before the Sixth Circuit appeals court
Wednesday, August 6, 2014The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in six gay marriage fights from Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee on Wednesday, setting the stage for one ruling. Each case deals with whether statewide… -
Federal appeals courts prepare to hear slew of same-sex marriage cases
Tuesday, August 5, 2014CINCINNATI -- Federal appeals courts covering nearly half the United States will soon hear arguments on whether gay and lesbian couples have a right to marry, part of a slew of cases putting pressure on the… -
Oral arguments set in appeal of Michigan, three other states same-sex marriage rulings
Tuesday, June 17, 2014DETROIT -- Oral arguments have been scheduled by a federal appeals court in the appeals of same-sex marriage rulings in Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio. The Cincinnati-based U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit… -
Ky. governor: Gay marriage threatens birth rates, can induce economic crises
Friday, May 9, 2014FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky governor Steve Beshear says in a new legal brief that same-sex couples should not be allowed to marry because they cannot “naturally procreate," and the state has an interest in ensuring that… -
Ky. recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages put on hold
Wednesday, March 19, 2014LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A federal judge is giving Kentucky more time to officially recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and countries.
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