Just in the past few weeks, the process of making gay marriage legal has moved so quickly in so many states, it's almost impossible to keep up with the changes. There is no longer any doubt, even by Republicans, that gay marriage will soon become legal in all fifty states.
19. Utah - December 20, 2013 - Court decision / Pending: April 10, 2014
-In December 2013, a federal court ruled that Utah's state ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, but on January 6, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court put a stay on that ruling until the State of Utah has a chance to appeal the federal court's ruling. The U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled oral arguments for April 10, 2014.
-Oral arguments were heard in the Tenth Circuit Court on April 10, and as June 15, 2014, we're still waiting for that ruling.
20. Oklahoma - January 10, 2014 - Court decision / Pending: April 17, 2014
-On January 14, 2014, a federal court ruled that Oklahoma's state ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, but on that same day, January 14, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court put a stay on that ruling until the State of Oklahoma has a chance to appeal the federal court's ruling. The U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals has schedule oral argument for April 17, 2014.
-The same 10th Circuit three-judge panel who heard the Utah case on April 10 also heard the Oklahoma the following week, on April 17. We're still awaiting the ruling for Oklahoma, but it's a safe bet that the rulings for Utah and Oklahoma will be the same.
21. Virginia - February 13, 2014 - Court decision / Pending: May 12, 2014
-On February 13, 2014, a federal court ruled that Virginia's state ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, but on that same day, February 13, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court put a stay on that ruling until the State of Virginia has a chance to appeal the federal court's ruling. The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has schedule oral argument for May 13, 2014.
-The 4th Circuit heard Virginia's case on May 13, 2014, and we're still awaiting that ruling.
22. Texas - February 26, 2014 - Court decision / Pending
23. Michigan - March 21, 2014 - Court decision / Pending
In February and March 2014, federal courts ruled that Texas and Michigan's state bans on gay marriage were unconstitutional, but both states were able to put a stay on those rulings until further review.
24. Arkansas - May 9, 2014 - Court decision / Pending
On Friday, May 9, Arkansas became the latest state to have its ban on gay marriage struck down by a judge's ruling. Marriage licenses were issued the next day to several gay couples, which made Arkansas the first Southern state to make gay marriage legal.
-On May 16, Arkansas' State Supreme Court issued a stay on the circuit court's ruling, once again making gay marriage illegal in the state until further judicial appeal.
25. Idaho - May 13, 2014 - Court decision / Pending
On May 13, a federal district court judge struck down Idaho's ban on gay marriage. On May 15, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay on that ruling until an appeal can be heard.
26. Oregon - May 19, 2014 - Court decision
On May 19, a federal district court judge struck down Oregon's ban on gay marriage. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant a stay to the ruling, thereby making gay marriage in Oregon permanently legal.
27. Pennsylvania - May 20, 2014 - Court decision
On May 20, a federal district court struck down Pennsylvania's ban on gay marriage. The governor refused to appeal the court decision, thereby making gay marriage in Pennsylvania permanently legal.
28. Wisconsin - June 6, 2014 - Court decision / Pending
On June 6, a federal district court judge struck down Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage. On June 13, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay on the ruling, pending appeal.
With gay marriage now legal in 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, gay marriage is legal for 43.5% of Americans. When the above eight states, who have pending judicial decisions, win their right for gay marriage, then gay marriage will be legal for another 19.5% of the American population, and for the first time, gay marriage will legal for the majority of Americans, at 63% of the American population.
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