MISSOURI: Gov Endorses Gay Marriage, Will Recognize Out-Of-State Marriages

Surprising and welcome news out of Missouri.

Gov. Jay Nixon said Thursday that he supports legalizing gay marriage in Missouri during a news conference announcing that homosexual couples married under the laws of other states would be allowed to file combined state tax returns. In an executive order, Nixon directed the Department of Revenue to accept the combined returns as a reaction to the June ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the federal Defense of Marriage Act. That law barred same sex couples who were legally married from receiving any marriage-based federal benefits, such as tax exemptions and Social Security payments. Under state law, couples who file a joint federal return are required to file a combined state tax return. The executive order clarifies that the law applies to all couples, Nixon said.

Nixon: "Many Missourians, including myself, are thinking about these issues of equality in new ways and reflecting on what constitutes discrimination. For me, that process has led to the belief that we shouldn’t treat folks differently because of who they are."

RELATED: Missouri passed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2004. A total of 21 states passed such bans from 2004-2006 when Ken Mehlman headed the RNC.

MISSOURI: St. Louis County Approves LGBT Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

Another win in our best month ever:

In one of the longest and most emotional meetings in the St. Louis County Council’s history, an ordinance was narrowly passed Tuesday night that adds gender identity and sexual orientation to the county’s anti-discrimination regulations and hate crimes law. An overflow crowd of more than 250 people spilled out of the council chambers in Clayton; 92 of them signed up to address the council, and most took advantage of that opportunity in a public comments segment that lasted more than two hours. And as could be expected on an issue that involved religion and civil rights, most of them spoke fervently. The ordinance adds protections for people in employment, housing and public accommodations in unincorporated areas, regardless of their sexual orientation. It also expands protections on the basis of gender and disability.

And now we wait on Friday's SCOTUS action.

ACLU Loses Westboro Appeal

An en banc panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a ruling by three of its own judges, declaring that the Westboro Baptist Church can be banned from protesting military funerals from an hour before until an hour after the funerals take place. Westboro was represented by the ACLU. The case arose from an ordinance enacted by Manchester, Missouri, where Westboro has never appeared.

Manchester City Attorney Patrick Gunn said the Manchester ordinance was written to resemble an Ohio law already upheld by the 6th Circuit. “We were confident that eventually our ordinance was not in any way unconstitutional or overimposing on a person’s right to exercise free speech,” Gunn said. Tony Rothert, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who represented Phelps-Roper, said a decision about whether to appeal would be made soon. “We think it’s a slippery slope not justified by the First Amendment or Supreme Court precedent,” Rothert said. “Ultimately that’s probably an issue for the Supreme Court to decide.”

Westboro says they will ignore the ruling. Just this week a Westboro protester was attacked by military veterans at the funeral for slain lesbian soldier, Sgt. Donna Johnson.