In a surprise move on October 6, the Supreme Court decided not to get involved in the debate over same-sex marriage. That decision allowed same-sex couples to wed legally in five states — Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, Indiana and Wisconsin. Following that, a panel of judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit concluded the bans in Idaho and Nevada violated the equal protection rights of homosexuals to legally marry.
Same sex couples are excluded from marriage and from attaining any form of family status. However, a ruling filed by private attorneys on behalf of two same-sex couples seeks the freedom to marry and to respect legally performed out-of-state same-sex marriages. Even though the pro-marriage ruling issued by a federal judge is on hold pending appeal, supporters for Oklahoma Gay marriage consider it a victory. For that reason, advocates continue to keep the conversations focused on marriage equality for all Oklahomans.
Over 6,000 homosexual couples live in Oklahoma, representing approximately four same-sex couples per 1,000 households. Each day that the freedom to marry was denied to homosexual couples, equality and constitutional rights were also denied.
