CINCINNATI, Ohio—On August 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit will hear oral argument in six marriage equality cases—the most marriage cases that any federal circuit court has ever heard in a single day, and the fourth argument to be heard by a federal circuit court since the United States Supreme Court’s decision last summer striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Federal Judges Martha Craig Daughtrey, Jeffrey S. Sutton, and Deborah L. Cook will hear the challenges to laws banning marriage equality in Kentucky (two cases), Michigan, Ohio (two cases), and Tennessee. The National Center for Lesbian Rights is representing plaintiffs in Tennessee, American Civil Liberties Union is representing plaintiffs in Ohio, and Lambda Legal is representing plaintiffs in Ohio. [pullquote]Federal Judges Martha Craig Daughtrey, Jeffrey S. Sutton, and Deborah L. Cook will hear the challenges to laws banning marriage equality in Kentucky (two cases), Michigan, Ohio (two cases), and Tennessee. The National Center for Lesbian Rights is representing plaintiffs in Tennessee, American Civil Liberties Union is representing plaintiffs in Ohio, and Lambda Legal is representing plaintiffs in Ohio.[/pullquote]
Since the Supreme Court’s June 2013 decision, every court to consider the issue has RULED IN FAVOR of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, including federal and state courts in Utah, Ohio, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The Tenth and Fourth Circuits heard oral arguments earlier this year. The Tenth Circuit issued rulings on June 25, 2014, and July 17, 2014, in cases from Utah and Oklahoma. The Fourth Circuit issued a ruling on July 28, 2014, in a case from Virginia. All three decisions held that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry.
Oral argument will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern at the Potter Stewart Courthouse in Cincinnati, Ohio. Attorneys and plaintiff couples will be available for interviews throughout the day at the Hayes Room on the third floor of the Westin Hotel, 21 E. 5th St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
Read an FAQ about the Sixth Circuit hearings.
Learn more about the cases at www.6thCircuit.org.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
[From a News Release]
