It took only minutes for Oregon's 23 first married gay couples to start getting hitched
Some states ease into same-sex marriage. Oregon isn't one of them. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane struck down the state's gay marriage ban at about noon on Monday, and the news spread to the crowd gathered outside at 12:08. It took only another minute for Multnomah County officials to let waiting same-sex couples inside to get their marriage licenses. "Within an hour, 23 couples had bought a marriage license, and the first ceremonies were wrapped up," says Kirk Johnson at The New York Times.
Unlike in Idaho, where a federal judge struck down a gay marriage ban and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the ruling, there were no parties with standing who opposed the Oregon ban — the state attorney general said it was unconstitutional and refused to defend it. So Oregon officials were ready when the ban fell. Portland Mayor Charlie Hales even got in on the act even though his office doesn't give him the right to officiate weddings. As he explained to The Oregonian, he just did what everyone else does and obtained a license online from the Universal Life Church. --Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published