The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for same-sex couples to marry in Kansas. The decision was handed down on Wednesday afternoon.
For now, Kansas is the 33rd state to allow same-sex couples to marry. The Supreme Court ordered the state to lift its ban while legal battles over the practice continue. County clerks across the state can begin issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.
“It’s not a final decision, but it’s a very significant indication of where this will end up,” says Doug Bonney, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas.
He describes the Supreme Court’s decision as a huge win for the state.
“It means everything to same-sex couples, it means they’re on an equal basis with other couples who have been able to get married for a long time.”
Bonney says he hopes Kansas will follow the example of other states and give up on efforts to keep its same-sex marriage ban in place.