US: Wisconsin Governor unsure of whether gay marriage ban breaks US Constitution
Despite supporting the measure, Wisconsin’s Governor has expressed concern over whether a ban on same-sex marriage in the state violates the US Constitution.
Governor Scott Walker made comments on Friday, prompting same-sex marriage advocates to speculate on whether the state may be next in line to have its ban overturned.
He said: “Any federal judge has got to look at that law not only with respect to the state’s constitution but what it means in terms of the US Constitution, as well,” he explained.
“Again, I’m not going to pretend to tell a federal judge in that regard what he or she should do about it.”
Walker previously referred to the ban as a “healthy balance” of LGBT rights, but has admitted that same-sex marriage is going to happen in the US, regardless of conservative opposition.
Some have noted similarities between Walker’s comments and those made by Pennsylvania Tom Corbett who last week announced that he would not continue to defend his state’s same-sex marriage ban, after a judge struck it down.
55% of voters in the state of Wisconsin currently support same-sex marriage.
Some have taken the filing to mean that Attorney General JB Van Hollen expects Judge Barbara Crabb to strike down the ban.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) previously asked Judge Crabb to suspend the ban via a preliminary injunction as part of its legal challenge– a request she declined.
The ACLU filed the lawsuit in February on behalf of eight couples, stating that same-sex couples are denied equal treatment afforded to married couples under the law.
