Posted on 05/05/2006 12:48:15 PM PDT by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO - A federal appeals court today dismissed a challenge by two Orange County men to a law denying federal marriage benefits to same-sex couples, saying a couple that isn't legally married under state law has no right to contest the federal definition of marriage.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reached the result urged by gay-rights groups, which opposed the federal suit because they are trying to overturn California's marriage law in state court.
The appeals court also refused to consider the constitutionality of the state's ban on same-sex marriage, saying it should be addressed first by the California courts.
The central issue in the case was the validity of the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Bill Clinton. The law reserved federal marriage benefits -- joint tax filing, Social Security survivors' benefits, immigration status and numerous other marital rights -- to opposite-sex couples. Another provision allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages that were performed in another state or a foreign nation.
Both the federal law and the state law were challenged in a 2004 suit by Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer of Mission Viejo after they were twice denied a marriage license.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Yes, for the good of the country it would be nice to settle the matter -much like President Ford did with the Nixon pardon. The homosexual activists and ACLU have had their 15 minutes -time for the country to move on...
BTTT.
Incredible! *LOGIC* out of the 9th Circus. Makes perfect sense, really.
I've wondered by the left hasn't tried to get Roe vs Wade into a Constitutional Ammendment. Maybe they know it won't pass?
is there an error? It says Ninth Circuit ?
The 9th circus ALWAYS has an agenda.
LOL! Whether statutory (federal) law OR civil (State) law, no governmental entity has the authority (juristiction) to define marriage as ANYTHING other than a marriage between a man and a woman.
All political entities and subdivisions MUST remain true to natural law-
This law of nature, being coeval with mankind and dictated by God himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other-It is binding over all the globe in all countries, and at all times; no human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this: and such of them as are valid derive all their force, and all their authority, mediately or immediately, from this original.
From Blackstone's Commentaries Book I Part I Section II
Smelts hammer Arthur and Christopher!!!
My goodness! This from the Ninth Circuit? They must be keeping an eye on the Supremes. No judge likes to be overruled. Roberts and Alito have already made a difference.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.