The 10th Circuit is hearing arguments in the Oklahoma marriage equality case.

ok-state-flag

Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit will hear arguments in the Bishop v. Smith case, a federal lawsuit which seeks marriage equality in Oklahoma. The hearing began this morning and comes only a week after arguments began in the Kitchen v. Herbert case in Utah.

The Oklahoma case has been pending for nearly 10 years. It was just this past January that a federal judge ruled that the existing anti-marriage laws in Oklahoma are in violation of the constitution. Due to the fact that the 10th Circuit covers six states (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Utah), both Bishop v. Smith and Kitchen v. Herbert have the potential for widespread impact.

From our friends at Freedom to Marry:

These 10th Circuit hearings kick off what well may be the penultimate chapter in the campaign to win the freedom to marry nationwide: This spring, a wave of activity will sweep through the federal appellate courts, as nine different marriage cases face consideration in five different appellate courts. One of these cases—or perhaps one of the more than 60 active lawsuits nationwide seeking the freedom to marry or respect of legal marriages—could make its way to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court would then have the chance to provide national resolution on marriage for same-sex couples.

Photo: Wikipedia