Federal judge finds Wyoming must allow same-sex marriage
A federal judge ruled that Wyoming officials cannot block same-sex marriages in the state following a ruling in favor of marriage equality by a federal appeals court.
U.S. District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl found the decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals striking down same-sex marriage bans in Utah and Oklahoma earlier this year is binding for Wyoming as well, which is covered by the 10th Circuit.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear cases challenging same-sex marriage bans in Utah and Oklahoma, thus allowing the appeals court decision striking down those bans to stand and legalizing same-sex marriage in those states. Wyoming attempted to prevent that decision from impacting the state’s same-sex marriage ban
Skavdahl granted a stay to his decision until 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 should the state choose to appeal.
UPDATE at 12:10 p.m., Oct. 21: State officials dropped their appeal of the decision, thus making Wyoming the 32nd marriage-equality state, plus D.C.
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