Yesterday saw not one, but two major wins for fairness. Arizona’s Gov. Jan Brewer (R) vetoed a bill that would have allowed businesses to refuse service or employment based on “sincerely held” religious beliefs — designed to target LGBT people, but with much wider potential impact. And a federal judge in Texas ruled that the state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples was unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia wrote that the current marriage laws “demean” the “dignity” of same-sex couples “for no legitimate reason.” Alas, same-sex couples in Texas cannot yet wed. The judgment was stayed pending appeal — and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has already said that his office would appeal.
If you’re counting, this is the seventh time a federal judge has ruled in favor of marriage for same-sex couples since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned part of the Defense of Marriage Act last June. The other rulings were in Illinois, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah.
And Gov. Brewer, who previously signed a bill taking benefits away from same-sex domestic partners of state employees, as Think Progress reminds us, vetoed the latest anti-gay bill after intense opposition from individuals, businesses, and the National Football League.
Speaking of sports, WNBA star and out lesbian Brittney Griner should be among those especially pleased with the news from Arizona. The star of the Phoenix Mercury was recently named Grand Marshal of the Phoenix Pride Parade.