Next Step For The Future Of Marriage: 5th Circuit Schedules Cases From Three States

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has just scheduled three pivotal marriage cases from three states for January. 

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on January 9 will hear arguments from both sides in three same-sex marriage cases. From Louisiana, Robicheaux v. Caldwell, from Mississippi, Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant, and from Texas, DeLeon v. Perry. 

In the Louisiana case, Judge Martin Feldman ruled against the plaintiffs, and in so doing became the first federal judge to rule against same-sex marriage since DOMA was struck down (in part) at the Supreme Court. Many have concluded his ruling was itself discriminatory and homophobia-based. (Fear Of Legalizing Incest Underlies Federal Judge’s Ruling Against Same-Sex Marriage.)

On November 25, Judge Carlton Reeves struck down the Mississippi ban on same-sex marriage, in an eloquent ruling. The case was argued by Roberta Kaplan, the attorney who successfully argued at the Supreme Court last year, winning the DOMA case. Yesterday, the 5th Circuit extended Judge Reeves’ stay, delaying marriage from thousands.

LOOK: Roberta Kaplan ‘Confident’ After 5th Circuit Accepts Mississippi Marriage Case

The Texas case goes back to February 26, when Judge Orlando Garcia struck down the state’s marriage ban, but stayed his ruling.

Audio from the arguments should be available here in the afternoon of January 9.

Mark your calendars!

 

Image via Flickr