A federal judge has just issued an emergency order requiring the State of Arizona to recognize the same-sex marriage of a couple together 45 years, just after one husband passed away.
Despite a state law and subsequent constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, a federal judge has just issued an emergency order requiring the State of Arizona recognize the marriage of Fred McQuire and George Martinez. The couple, together for 45 years, recently married in California. Martinez passed away in late August of pancreatic cancer.
The couple are two of 18 plaintiffs in a Lambda Legal lawsuit. Today, U.S. District Judge John W. Sedwick ruled that for McQuire and Martinez, Arizona must recognize their legal marriage.
The ruling allows Martinez’s death certificate to identify him as married, and allows McGuire to file for Social Security and veterans benefits.
Freedom To Marry reports that “McQuire, who is also battling a life-threatening illness, is barred from receiving Social Security survivor’s benefits or veterans benefits, and is also at risk of losing his home, as a result of not being listed on Martinez’s death certificate.”
Judge Sedwick was nominated to the Court by Republican President George H.W. Bush, and earned his J.D. from Harvard University School of Law.
Here’s a video of the couple, from Lambda Legal:
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Hat tip: HRC
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