District Judge Overturns Mississippi Marriage Amendment

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves overturned Mississippi's ban on same-sex marriage on Tuesday. The judge stayed his ruling for two weeks so the state can appeal.

Mississippi state attorneys have already declared their intention to ask the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block Reeves’ order.

Mississippi voters amended their state constitution in 2004 to elevate protection for natural marriage to the state constitution. An overwhelming 86 percent of voters approved the amendment, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

American Family Association (www.afa.net) President Tim Wildmon released the following statement regarding the ruling:

“This is yet another tragic example of an out-of-control federal judge violating the Constitution and the will of 86 percent of the voters of Mississippi. These renegade judges are robbing the American people of the right to govern themselves, and it is a travesty. The first three words of the Constitution are ‘We the People,’ not ‘We the Judges.’

“We commend Gov. Phil Bryant for his declared intention to fight this egregious judicial overreach with every means at his disposal. God has defined marriage from the dawn of time as the union of one man and one woman, and what God has defined, no man, no judge, can redefine. This judicial tyranny must be resisted.”

The text of the Mississippi marriage amendment reads: “Marriage may take place and may be valid under the laws of this state only between a man and a woman. A marriage in another state or foreign jurisdiction between persons of the same gender, regardless of when the marriage took place, may not be recognized in this state and is void and unenforceable under the laws of this state.”