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Wyoming Equality File Lawsuit To Force State To Comply With Federal Court Ruling On Gay Marriage

David via Flickr

Monday’s Supreme Court decision not to review state gay marriage bans that had been overturned in federal courts means that the highest legal authority in Wyoming recognizes gay marriage. But how soon same sex marriage licenses will be issued in the state remains unclear.

That’s because a state statute defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. Wyoming Equality is an advocacy group challenging that law in state court. Group lawyer Thomas Lyman says regardless of the outcome of his case gay marriage is now legal in Wyoming.

"It is a matter of law now that same sex couples have the same right to get married as opposite sex couples. Independent of our lawsuit, which does not raise constitutional issues, there is now a federally recognized right for same sex couples to marry in Wyoming."

Wyoming Equality, along with the National Center For Lesbian Rights, has filed a federal lawsuit to force the state of Wyoming to comply with the federal court. Meanwhile Wyoming Equality continues to argue its state case.

Gov. Matt Mead’s Office says it acknowledges the authority of the federal court ruling, but will continue to argue its state case against Wyoming Equality.

Wyoming Equality may be pursuing its state lawsuit in case the Supreme Court does take gay marriage at a later date and reverses the federal courts’ decisions.

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