May 2014
- Friday, May 9 – Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza strikes down Arkansas’ constitutional amendment and state statute defining marriage as only between a man and a woman. The ruling inadvertently fails to specifically mention invalidating a separate law prohibiting clerks from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
- Friday, May 9 – The State requests Judge Piazza to immediately stay Judge Piazza’s ruling.
- Saturday, May 10 – The first same-sex marriage license in Arkansas is issued to Jennifer Rambo and Kristin Seaton in Eureka Springs, Carroll County.
- Monday, May 12 – The State requests an emergency stay from the Supreme Court while Judge Piazza’s ruling is on appeal.
- Wednesday, May 14 – The Arkansas Supreme Court denies request to stay Judge Piazza’s ruling..
- Thursday, May 15 – Judge Piazza revises his ruling to include all laws that prevent same-sex couples from marrying in Arkansas. Judge Piazza also denied the State’s request to stay the ruling because a stay “would operate to further damage Arkansas families and deprive them of equal access to the rights associated with marriage status at this time.”
- Thursday, May 15 – The State appeals Judge Piazza’s revised decision.
- Friday May 16 – At the State’s request, the Arkansas Supreme Court grants an emergency stay of the revised ruling, effectively ending same-sex marriage in Arkansas while the case is on appeal.
- Friday, May 19 – Pulaski County appeals Judge Piazza’s revised decision.
- Tuesday, June 3 – White, Lonoke, Washington, Conway, and Saline counties appeal Judge Piazza’s revised ruling.
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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Arkansas Supreme Court to Hear Voter ID Case October 2nd
Marriage Equality in Arkansas: One Week of Joy
Marriage Equality in Arkansas: One Family's Story
2014 Rights of Spring Honorees: Adjoa Aiyetoro is Civil Libertarian of the Year
Letter from the Executive Director: Ferguson is Everytown, U.S.A.
On the Docket: September 2014
In the Spotlight: Scott Raper and Jillian Fisher
In Memorium: Judge John Norman Harkey, Founding Member of the ACLU of Arkansas