Missouri Must Recognize Marriages of 10 Same-Sex Couples Married Outside the State

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Missouri Circuit Judge J. Dale Youngs ordered that the marriages of 10 couples must be recognized by the state of Missouri. His decision came eight days after hearing the oral arguments in Barrier v. Vasterling, Missouri’s landmark case filed in February by the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri on behalf of 10 same-sex Missouri couples.

The ruling can be found on our website at: http://www.aclu-mo.org/download_file/1316

“Missouri has finally recognized our couples’ marriages as being no different from any other marriage,” said Tony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Missouri.

Married plaintiffs Janice Barrier and Sherie Schild said “Our hearts are filled with jubilation. We believe the judge made a fair and just decision recognizing marriage for same-sex couples.”

“This is a personal win for our 10 courageous couples who stepped up to represent the LGBT community,” said Jeffrey A. Mittman, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri. “Even better ― this is a win for the whole state because a discriminatory law has been struck down.”

The ACLU of Missouri is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that defends and expands the constitutional rights and civil liberties of all Missourians guaranteed under the United States and Missouri Constitutions, through its litigation, legislative and public education programs. It is an affiliate of the national ACLU.