Just a few thoughts! I am 100% in support of Gay marriage (and even maybe Gay, dont know), just to be clear.
The Supreme court merely made gay marriage bans unconstitutional. This usually means all lower courts must comply with this order. And most do as not complying will involve huge fines, enforcement actions and so on.
Kansas seems to be playing up the ruling these days. Bronwback's republican government came under fire in Kansas city and he was so caring that he apparently "devolved" gay marriage licensing to individual counties through the Kansas courts (In reality, it was the court that made this decision). This created an odd scenario where some counties recognized Gay marriage and gave out licenses, some recognized gay marriage (because the state court did) but refused to give out licenses and some which had no stance (as no gay people applied for licenses in these rural counties).
After the supreme court decision, the situation got further complicated, as the state recognized gay marriage (albeit it did not sit well with Brownback and his cronies) but indivdual counties refused to give out licenses citing older state laws. (The supreme court did not strike down these laws)
Brownback made new promises to stop gay couples from changing their Driving License names when theey marry, stopped them sharing income tax (which means they pay more) and also Kansas divorce courts will treat them as 2 individuals, not a couple.
How are these discriminatory laws still allowed? I thought discrimination laws were also banned by the ruling de facto?
Kansas remains the only jurisdiction that does not issue licenses in some of its parts (in the union). Some southern states will do not have gay hate laws, anti-gay discrimination laws, equal treatment laws for gays etc.... without these laws in place, the supreme court decision is merely a symbolic gesture ( and does little to help gay people living in the South following their marriage )
The Supreme court merely made gay marriage bans unconstitutional. This usually means all lower courts must comply with this order. And most do as not complying will involve huge fines, enforcement actions and so on.
Kansas seems to be playing up the ruling these days. Bronwback's republican government came under fire in Kansas city and he was so caring that he apparently "devolved" gay marriage licensing to individual counties through the Kansas courts (In reality, it was the court that made this decision). This created an odd scenario where some counties recognized Gay marriage and gave out licenses, some recognized gay marriage (because the state court did) but refused to give out licenses and some which had no stance (as no gay people applied for licenses in these rural counties).
After the supreme court decision, the situation got further complicated, as the state recognized gay marriage (albeit it did not sit well with Brownback and his cronies) but indivdual counties refused to give out licenses citing older state laws. (The supreme court did not strike down these laws)
Brownback made new promises to stop gay couples from changing their Driving License names when theey marry, stopped them sharing income tax (which means they pay more) and also Kansas divorce courts will treat them as 2 individuals, not a couple.
How are these discriminatory laws still allowed? I thought discrimination laws were also banned by the ruling de facto?
Kansas remains the only jurisdiction that does not issue licenses in some of its parts (in the union). Some southern states will do not have gay hate laws, anti-gay discrimination laws, equal treatment laws for gays etc.... without these laws in place, the supreme court decision is merely a symbolic gesture ( and does little to help gay people living in the South following their marriage )
