(Boise, ID, May 15, 2014)—Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit temporarily put on hold a federal district court’s decision that overturned Idaho’s ban on marriage equality.
On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale ordered the State of Idaho to allow same-sex couples to marry and to recognize the marriages of couples who married in other states. Idaho Governor Butch Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden on Wednesday appealed that decision to the Ninth Circuit and filed motions asking the court to stay Judge Dale’s decision until the Ninth Circuit completes its review of the case. Today, the Ninth Circuit issued an order temporarily putting Judge Dale’s decision on hold while it carefully considers the state’s request for a stay pending appeal.
The case was brought by four same-sex couples represented by Boise attorneys Deborah A. Ferguson and Craig Durham and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). The couples are Sue Latta and Traci Ehlers, and Lori and Sharene Watsen, who are legally married and asked Idaho to recognize their marriages, and Shelia Robertson and Andrea Altmayer, and Amber Beierle and Rachael Robertson, who seek to marry.
Said National Center for Lesbian Rights Senior Staff Attorney Christopher Stoll: “We are pleased the Ninth Circuit will carefully consider our clients’ arguments that no stay of the district court’s order is warranted. We trust the court will consider the matter promptly. We hope the appeals court will allow the district court’s order to take effect as soon as possible so that all Idaho families can enjoy the important protections that marriage provides.”