WEST VIRGINIA: Federal Judge Lifts Marriage Stay But Issues No Final Ruling

Via the Huntington Herald-Dispatch:

U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers his lifted his stay, clearing the way for arguments and proceedings to resume in a federal lawsuit targeting West Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage. The order delivers a partial victory three, same-sex couples who urged Chambers to lift the stay Monday in light of a Supreme Court decision rendering such marriage bans unconstitutional. But Chambers’ early afternoon order does not rule in the plaintiff’s favor as to the final outcome. Instead, the judge noted the couples’ arguments and asked attorneys for West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Cabell County Clerk Karen Cole and her counterpart in Kanawha County to file a response within 14 days. It then provides a brief time for the couples’ attorney to file a final response before oral arguments ensue, if needed. That all could set up a final decision within weeks.

Fairness West Virginia is demanding that the judge make an immediate final ruling.

WV To Consider Marriage Referendum

West Virginia already bans same-sex marriage by law, but legislators will meet next week to make double-extra sure the dirty homos don't get any funny ideas.

State lawmakers plan to hear testimony next week about whether West Virginia should change its constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. In March, Republicans in the House of Delegates tried to force a floor vote on a bipartisan resolution calling for a statewide referendum to define marriage. Democrats blocked their attempts. Legislators later voted to have an interim committee study the amendment issue. Now a meeting has been set for 11 a.m. July 14 in the Senate Judiciary Committee room. Family Policy Council of West Virginia President Jeremiah Dys and a representative of the Alliance Defense Fund -- a conservative organization that says it seeks to "aggressively defend religious liberty" -- will speak in favor of the amendment, Dys said.

Fairness West Virginia and the ACLU will speak in opposition to any ballot measure.

Launched: Fairness West Virginia

New activism in West Virginia! Via press release:

Today, West Virginians announced the formation of a new statewide civil rights organization committed to ensuring fair treatment for all gay and lesbian people in the state. Fairness West Virginia’s mission is to ensure gay people are treated safely and fairly in their homes, at work and in their communities. “Discrimination in any form is unjust regardless of an individual’s real or perceived sexual orientation,” said Stephen Skinner, a member of Fairness West Virginia’s Board of Directors and an attorney.

The organization seeks to cooperate with both the public and private sector to enact policies that reflect West Virginia’s values and to send a signal to the rest of the nation—especially to corporate America—that we are open for business for everyone. A dozen citizens—both gay and straight—from diverse backgrounds, including a doctor, a university professor, businessmen and women, and lawyers, among others, are the volunteers behind the creation of the new organization. They are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who believe fairness transcends partisan politics. “Our immediate call to action is to achieve the membership goal of 1,000 West Virginians for Fairness in twenty days,” said board member Christopher Turman of Moorefield.

If you are in West Virginia, please visit FairnessWV.org. Their goal is 1000 new members by the of the month.