January, 06 2014, 11:51am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Angela Dallara
Media Relations Manager, Freedom to Marry
angela@freedomtomarry.org
646-430-3925
Supreme Court Grants Stay on Utah Marriages for Same-Sex Couples Press Contact:
Salt Lake City
Today the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay on the Utah ruling that ensured the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. The stay will temporarily prevent marriages for same-sex couples pending consideration of the ruling by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, released the following statement:
"While every day's denial of the freedom to marry hurts, today's decision by the Supreme Court to grant a stay in Utah is just a temporary pause in the work to win marriage for all loving and committed same-sex couples in the state. As the case makes its way up the ladder, we must continue to do the work of having conversations about why marriage matters, engaging both gay and non-gay people, and preparing for when the Supreme Court does take up the next case that will bring national resolution. About 1,000 same-sex couples have legally married in Utah in the past few weeks; and their friends, neighbors, and elected officials will now see that marriage betters their lives and hurts no one. Being married allows a committed couple to protect each other and their family, and gives respect to their commitment under law. It's crucial to use the momentum we gained in 2013 for the freedom to marry in the new year to show that allowing same-sex couples to share in the joy of marriage in Utah - and everywhere - is the right thing to do."
Freedom to Marry is the gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide. Headed by Evan Wolfson, one of America's leading civil rights advocates and lawyers, Freedom to Marry brings new resources and a renewed context of urgency and opportunity to this social justice movement.
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