Thirty-two states and the District of Columbia now recognize same-sex marriage as legal. Idaho and Nevada were the latest additions, having lost their attempts on Tuesday to keep marriage between one man and one woman.
Within weeks, another three states—Alaska, Arizona and Montana—will join the fold. That would leave 35 states permitting same-sex marriage. These are states that fall within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which invalidated Idaho and Nevada's laws against marriage equality.
A 36th state soon may join the crowd. Last Friday, a federal district judge invalidated Missouri's requirement that marriages be limited to one man and one woman. Though the case is headed to an appeal, state Attorney General Chris Koster said the state will begin respecting the marriages of same-sex couples.
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Put another way, more than 60 percent of American people live in states where same-sex marriages can be performed. With the exception of Florida and Texas, most gay and lesbian couples live in states with relatively high concentrations of gay or lesbian residents.
Within weeks, another three states—Alaska, Arizona and Montana—will join the fold. That would leave 35 states permitting same-sex marriage. These are states that fall within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which invalidated Idaho and Nevada's laws against marriage equality.
A 36th state soon may join the crowd. Last Friday, a federal district judge invalidated Missouri's requirement that marriages be limited to one man and one woman. Though the case is headed to an appeal, state Attorney General Chris Koster said the state will begin respecting the marriages of same-sex couples.
However, a few state are joining the bandwagon kicking and screaming. South Carolina, the state that celebrates nullification and state's rights, vows to uphold its constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals said same-sex marriage is wrong, and on Monday the United States Supreme Court chose not to question that decision. South Carolina should have fallen in line with the 4th Circuit's decision. Instead its obstructionism will lead either to litigation or yet another embarrassment for the state.
