A federal judge struck down Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage Thursday night. While gay marriage isn’t legal in the state yet, the ruling sets up the potential for that to change in the future. District Court Judge Arenda Wright Allen is the latest in a growing list of state and federal judges to grant gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.
Allen’s ruling was expected since that case was heard in her courtroom February 4, reports USA Today. As expected, she also blocked the ruling from taking effect immediately until appeals are heard, meaning gay marriages can’t happen in Virginia quite yet. Attorney General Mark herring released a statement via Facebook, praising Allen’s decision. He wrote:
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He added on Twitter:
*ALERT* Equality marches forward in VA: Federal judge declares state’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. Issues stay pending appeal.
— Mark Herring (@AGMarkHerring) February 14, 2014
Important to note: Injunction in VA #SSM case is stayed pending appeal meaning the ban will remain in effect while appeals are heard.
— Mark Herring (@AGMarkHerring) February 14, 2014
As news broke of the decision Thursday night, Twitter users were largely celebratory, with many taking the state’s slogan of “Virginia is for lovers” and adding that it is now for all lovers.
Yay! Virginia is for lovers once again! — Tracy Russo (@tracyrusso) February 14, 2014
#Virginia is for lovers. — Matthew Zaradich (@zaradich) February 14, 2014
Congratulations, VA! So proud to see that we are finally living up to our “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan. #LoveIsLove #LGBT — Stacy Smith (@ss9ug) February 14, 2014
Others expressed their support for the ruling by writing:
Thank you Virginia for moving past ignorance. #equalityinVA — Josh Adams (@JoshuaJAdams) February 14, 2014
Virginia is doing it right. Let’s begin the spread to all the states. #equality — Chase Terry (@brutalballer) February 14, 2014
Considering the controversial nature of the repeal on Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban, there were also some people who weren’t thrilled.
All those gays having an extra special Valentine’s Day in Virginia tomorrow are destroying the fabric of straight couples Valentine’s Days.
— Sara (@earthysara) February 14, 2014
I love Virginia but dang I am tired of these idiots turning my home state into a yuppie state
— That Southerner (@ClassicCountry7) February 14, 2014
Damn virginia needa go reverse that
— Jacob Knight™ (@J_knight97) February 14, 2014
You’re joking right?! Virginia is a sad state now. I still don’t agree with homosexuality. I’ll voice my opinions!!
— James Massey (@james_cowboy_up) February 14, 2014
Still, the reaction was mostly positive to the ruling. No word yet on what Westboro Baptist Church thinks of Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban being ruled unconstitutional, but we’re guessing it won’t be good.
[Image: richiesoft]
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