US: Arizona man fighting same-sex marriage ban dies
A man in the US state of Arizona who had asked a judge to recognise his marriage due to terminal illness, has died.
George Martinez and Fred McQuire had requested that the judge instruct Arizona to recognise their marriage in order for McQuire to be recognised as Martinez’s survivor.
The ruling would have allowed McQuire to take care of his affairs and allow him to collect Veterens Affairs benefits.
McQuire has now requested a court hearing, in order to ensure that he is recognised as a surviving spouse on Martinez’s death certificate.
Attorney Jennifer C Pizer of Lambda Legal Defense filed a motion for a temporary restraining order which asks Judge John Sedwick to stop the state from enforcing its ban on same-sex marriage, and to issue the correct death certificate.
Pizer notes that McQuire could lose his home if he is not recognised as a surviving spouse.
The couple married in California in July after Martinez was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
They were together for 45 years, and joined a lawsuit to overturn the state’s same-sex marriage ban earlier this year.
