2014 has been a historic year for the freedom to marry: We won the freedom to marry for same-sex couples once and for all in an additional 18 states, for a total of 35, and now, just 15 states continue to discriminate against same-sex couples (although same-sex couples can marry in some Missouri counties, and Florida will begin issuing marriage licenses on January 6 even as an appeal proceeds to the 11th Circuit). It's more important than ever that we push toward a national resolution on the freedom to marry - and in the coming weeks, we'll be continuing our work to move marriage forward - and win - nationwide.
In early November, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit broke from a unanimous string of federal appellate rulings by upholding marriage discrimination, and now, parties in all 4 6th Circuit states (Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennesse - plus Louisiana, where a federal judge ruled against the freedom to marry in September) are seeking review of that out-of-step decision from the United States Supreme Court. The Court has scheduled all five of the cases for review at its January 9 conference.
Freedom to Marry has always been committed to winning marriage for same-sex couples nationwide - and now, as momentum surges across the country, it is more important for supporters to do all they can to speak out for the freedom to marry nationwide. Here's what's going on in the 15 where same-sex couples continue to be denied the freedom to marry. Every day of denial in these states is a day too long - and the past year of momentum demonstrates more clearly than ever: America is ready for the freedom to marry.
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