In a ruling late Friday, Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Chris Piazza ruled that Arkansas’ 2004 gay marriage ban was unconstitutional. He didn’t stay his decision either, unlike many other judges have done in these cases, leaving the door open for same-sex couples to begin marrying Monday morning.
The state’s Attorney General Dustin McDaniel will appeal the ruling, despite his personally supporting gay marriage rights.
Judge Piazza cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1967 decision invalidating laws against interracial marriage in his decision.
“It has been over 40 years since Mildred Loving was given the right to marry the person of her choice,” Piazza wrote, referring to that ruling. “The hatred and fears have long since vanished and she and her husband lived full lives together; so it will be for the same-sex couples. It is time to let that beacon of freedom shine brighter on all our brothers and sisters. We will be stronger for it.”
psaunders@thegavoice.com | @patricksaunders