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Waters v. Ricketts - Freedom to Marry in Nebraska

Last Update: September 29, 2015

What's at Stake

The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Nebraska and the law firm of Koenig | Dunne have filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of seven couples who seek state recognition of their marriages or who seek the freedom to marry in Nebraska.

The plaintiffs include Susan and Sally Waters of Omaha who have been together for 17 years. In January 2013, Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer and her future is uncertain.

The plaintiffs allege that the state’s constitutional marriage ban unlawfully discriminates against lesbians, gay men, and their children. Due to Sally Waters’ medical condition, the attorneys will be filing a separate motion for emergency relief.

On March 3rd, 2015, the District Court of Nebraska granted Plaintiffs’ injunction and ruling that the ban on marriage for same-sex couples was unconstituional. The decision was stayed pending appeals.

Status: On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that state bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. Same-sex couples now have the freedom to marry in all 50 states. VICTORY!

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