Gay marriage revived

last updated 8 January 2015

Lincoln, Neb.

A federal judge last week struck down Nebraska’s ban on gay marriage, saying it “goes far beyond merely defining marriage as between a man and a woman.” District Judge Joseph Bataillon said a constitutional amendment, overwhelmingly approved by Nebraska voters in 2000, denies homosexuals many legal protections heterosexual couples enjoy. The marriage ban is written so broadly, Bataillon said, that it prohibits gay state employees from sharing health insurance with their partners, and interferes with the relationships of families with foster or adopted children. Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning said the state would appeal. “The citizens of this state have a right to structure their constitution as they see fit,” Bruning said.