Judge Overturns Same-Sex Marriage Ban in Idaho

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Amber Beierle, left, and Rachael Robertson talk about their role as plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit Friday Nov. 8, 2013, at their home in Boise, Idaho. Beierle and Robertson are one of four same-sex couples suing the state of Idaho over its law banning same-sex marriage and the state's refusal to recognize same-sex couples legally married in other states.

Image: Todd Dvorak/Associated Press

By Adario Strange2014-05-14 02:33:57 UTC

An Idaho judge has overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, declaring it to be unconstitutional, just days after an Arkansas judge made a similar ruling.

"Idaho’s Marriage Laws withhold from them a profound and personal choice, one that most can take for granted," U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale wrote in her 57-page decision, according to the Idaho Statesman . "By doing so, Idaho’s Marriage Laws deny same-sex couples the economic, practical, emotional and spiritual benefits of marriage, relegating each couple to a stigmatized, second-class status."

See also: 12 Moments From England's Legalization of Gay Marriage

If no stay is issued on the ruling, same-sex marriage in Idaho could begin this Friday.

In a move mirroring the post-court decision statements from Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, who said he would work to uphold the letter of the law banning same-sex marriages in his state, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter said in a written statement, "Today’s decision, while disappointing, is a small setback in a longterm battle that will end at the U.S. Supreme Court. I am firmly committed to upholding the will of the people and defending our Constitution."

Still, many Twitter users reacted to the news with optimism and enthusiasm:

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Topics: gay rights, Idaho, legal, LGBT, marriage equality, same-sex marriage, U.S., US & World