Federal Judge Strikes Down Alaska Gay Marriage Ban

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Oct 13, 2014

Federal Judge Strikes Down Alaska Gay Marriage Ban

Gay marriage will now be legal in the state of Alaska after the standing gay marriage ban was struck down by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Timothy Burgess ruled that the ban was a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights. 

Alaska was the first state to enact a gay marriage ban in 1998. 

Burgess wrote, "The court finds that Alaska's ban on same-sex marriage and refusal to recognize same-sex marriages lawfully entered in other states is unconstitutional as a deprivation of basic due process and equal protection principles under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” 

CBS News reports that the state plans to appeal Burgess’ decision; it is unlikely that an appeal would be successful since federal appeals courts have already stuck down appeals for Idaho and Nevada. 

Governor Sean Parnell’s spokesperson Sharon Leighow wrote, "...I have a duty to defend and uphold the law and the Alaska Constitution. Although the district court today may have been bound by the recent Ninth Circuit panel opinion, the status of that opinion and the law in general in this area is in flux. I will defend our constitution."

Publication date: October 13, 2014



Federal Judge Strikes Down Alaska Gay Marriage Ban