US: Oregon Attorney General ‘prepared to implement’ gay marriage if a judge rules to allow it

Mar 19 2014
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

The Attorney General of the US state of Oregon has said she would be “prepared to implement”, same-sex marriage, if a judge ruled to strike-down the state’s ban.

Ellen Rosenblum already last month made the announcement that she would not defend the ban, as she argued that it would not stand up against a federal constitutional challenge.

Referring to two lawsuits against the state for its law banning same-sex marriage, Rosenblum made a 35-page filing today which stated that, should a judge strike it down, she would not appeal.

Today’s announcement was welcomed by equal marriage advocates who hailed it as a sign that attitudes towards same-sex marriage are changing in the state.

In a move which could potentially open the door to more quickly removing a ban on same-sex marriage, a federal judge in January consolidated two lawsuits seeking just that.

A 2004 constitutional amendment approved by 57% of voters to 43%, defined marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman.

Campaigners have also announced a petition which has over 127,000 signatures towards putting a question on the ballot to reverse the amendment.

Gay rights advocates commended the two possible channels towards achieving equal marriage, hoping for the quickest possible outcome.

The question would go on a November ballot for voters.

Back in October, all state agencies were ordered to immediately begin recognising out-of-state same-sex marriages.