NEWS: Mississippi Should Take the Lead from Arkansas on Gay Marriage Equality

Congratulations to Arkansas and to all the LGBT couples who have won an important hurdle in equal rights in regard to marriage equality!

Today, Judge Chris Piazza stuck down the state’s 2004 ban on gay marriage. According to Piazza’s ruling, he said:

“This is an unconstitutional attempt to narrow the definition of equality. The exclusion of a minority for no rational reason is a dangerous precedent,”

and …

“Although marriage is not expressly identified as a fundamental right in the Constitution, the United States Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized it as such.”

Citing the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court case, Loving vs. Virginia, Piazza addressed LGBT discrimination directly:

“It has been over 40 years since Mildred Loving was given the right to marry the person of her choice. The hatred and fears have long since vanished, and she and her husband lived full lives together; so it will be for the same-sex couples. It is time to let that beacon of freedom shine brighter on all our brothers and sisters. We will be stronger for it.”

These are powerful words backed up by important action on Judge Piazza’s part. Unfortunately, the state’s Attorney General Dustin McDaniel will appeal Piazza’s decision, even though McDaniel himself is a Democrat who supports gay marriage. But for now, gay marriage is legal in Arkansas!

So, Mississippi … Let’s get on task here and support our LGBT residents who have a basic human right and a Constitutionally-based guaranteed right to marry. Please don’t let Mississippi be last in granting LGBT marriage equality!

trish

originally posted on Trish4Congress.me

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