A 2012 ruling upholding Nevada's ban on
gay marriage has been appealed by plaintiffs in the case.
According to the AP, Lambda Legal,
which is representing 8 Nevada couples in the case, appealed the
ruling on Friday, asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals in San Francisco to review the case.
U.S. District Chief Judge Robert Jones
ruled that the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection does
not prohibit “the People of the State of Nevada from maintaining
statutes that reserve the institution of civil marriage to one-man –
one-woman relationships.”
In reaching his conclusion, Jones
rejected arguments that gay men and lesbians have historically faced
discrimination.
“Homosexuals have not historically
been denied the right to vote, the right to serve on juries, or the
right to own property,” Jones
wrote.
The lead plaintiffs in the case are two
women in their 70s who have raised 3 children and have 4
grandchildren. Beverly Sevcik and Mary Baranovich have been together
more than four decades.
In 2002, Nevada voters overwhelmingly
approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a
heterosexual union. Nevada in 2009 began recognizing gay and lesbian
couples with domestic partnerships, which offer far fewer benefits
than marriage.
In April, lawmakers gave initial
approval to repealing the ban and legalizing gay nuptials in Nevada.
A second vote is needed before going to voters in 2016.
(Related: Nevada
Senate approves resolution on gay marriage.)