Here & Now

Federal Judge Strikes Down WI Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Frederica Freyberg:

First, this afternoon a federal judge in Madison ruled Wisconsin’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. US district court judge Barbara Crabb ruling that the constitutional amendment Wisconsin voters passed in 2006 violates plaintiffs’ fundamental right to marry and their right to equal protection of laws under the 14th Amendment to the US constitution. Eight Wisconsin couples sued over the amendment. In her decision, Judge Crabb wrote, It is necessary to conclude only that the state may not intrude without adequate justification on certain fundamental decisions made by individuals and that, when the state does impose restrictions on these important matters, it must do so in an even-handed manner. Judge Crabb said, Quite simply, this case is about liberty and equality, the two cornerstones of the rights protected by the United States Constitution. It is not yet clear when same-sex marriages will be able to be performed in Wisconsin.