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Judge Overturns Indiana Same-Sex Marriage Ban

  • Russ Jones Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jun 26, 2014

U.S. District Judge Richard Young ruled Wednesday that Indiana’s law banning homosexual marriage is unconstitutional. The federal judge claims marriage between one man and one woman violates the 14th Amendment’s due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

“The court has never witnessed a phenomenon throughout the federal court system as is presented with this issue,” Young wrote in his decision. “In less than a year, every federal district court to consider the issue has reached the same conclusion in thoughtful and thorough opinions – laws prohibiting the celebration and recognition of same-sex marriages are unconstitutional.”

Fox 59 Indianapolis reports Marion County has processed 50 applications and has conducted 31 civil ceremonies since the ruling.

Various Christian organizations are weighing in on the decision.

“This is what we warned state legislators and Hoosiers to expect,” said Micah Clark, director of the American Family Association of Indiana.  “The advocates of same-sex marriage have been trying to use activist judges, willing to legislate from the bench, to force a new public policy on marriage upon all of Indiana.  At this point in time, they have succeeded.”

Clark maintains that regardless of what a judge might rule, marriage is about uniting men and women together for the best interests of children and society.  

“Men and women are uniquely and individually important.  They are not interchangeable or discardable.  Whatever two men may be, they are not a mom and a dad.”

Clark predicts the case will make its way to the Supreme Court where the judges will determine if the will of the people and the role of their elected representatives matter.

The Associated Press reports the Indiana attorney general's office said it would appeal the ruling.

Publication date: June 26, 2014