Breaking: Federal Judge Rules Mississippi Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Is Unconstitutional

A federal judge has ruled that a same-sex marriage ban in the reddest of America’s states, is unconstitutional. 

In a humbling and human 72-page ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves tonight ruled that Mississippi’s 2004 voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution. 

“The Fourteenth Amendment operates to remove the blinders of inequality from our eyes,” Judge Reeves’ ruling states. “Though we cherish our traditional values, they must give way to constitutional wisdom. Mississippi’s traditional beliefs about gay and lesbian citizens led it to defy that wisdom by taking away fundamental rights owed to every citizen. It is time to restore those rights. Today’s decision may cause uneasiness and concern about the change it will bring. But “[t]hings change, people change, times change, and Mississippi changes, too.” The man who said these words, Ross R. Barnett, Jr., knew firsthand their truth.”

“Mississippi continues to change in ways its people could not anticipate even 10 years ago. Allowing same-sex couples to marry, however, presents no harm to anyone. At the very least, it has the potential to support families and provide stability for children.”

Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed, who first reported the news, has been poring over the ruling. A few of his observations:

 

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