[maryz]

A federal judge heard the case, and the First Circuit is taking the appeal. I think the federal issue would be the conflict between the "full faith and credit" clause and the Defense of Marriage Act.

[Sandy]

I said no federal court will bother with it, "bother with it" meaning "take it seriously".

[mrsmith]

I can't see any federal issue here yet.
When someone tries to get "full faith and credit" in another state for their gay 'marriage', there would be.

Logically of course it isn't the constitutionally guaranteed "republican form of government" when a state's constitution has no meaning, but court rulings are exempted from that clause- by the courts.