Victory! Federal Court Rules Indiana’s Ban on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples Unconstitutional

(Evansville, IN, June 25, 2014) — Today, U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Young ruled that Indiana’s discriminatory ban on marriage for same-sex couples is unconstitutional. Lambda Legal challenged the law on behalf of five couples seeking the freedom to marry in Indiana or recognition of a marriage from another state.

 Judge Young writes: “The court has never witnessed a phenomenon throughout the federal court system as is presented with this issue. In less than a year, every federal district court to consider the issue has reached the same conclusion in thoughtful and thorough opinions – laws prohibiting the celebration and recognition of same-sex marriages are unconstitutional. It is clear that the fundamental right to marry shall not be deprived to some individuals based solely on the person they choose to love. In time, Americans will look at the marriage of couples such as Plaintiffs, and refer to it simply as a marriage – not a same-sex marriage. These couples, when gender and sexual orientation are taken away, are in all respects like the family down the street. The Constitution demands that we treat them as such.”

“We’re thrilled that the court ruled in favor of liberty and equality for all same-sex couples and their children in Indiana,” said Paul D. Castillo, Staff Attorney for Lambda Legal. “As Chief Judge Young recognized, these families, and so many others across the state, suffer significant harm when they are wrongly denied the freedom to marry the one unique person they love. Indiana now joins the momentum for nationwide marriage equality and Hoosiers can now proclaim they are on the right side of history.”

The case, Baskin v. Bogan, was filed on March 10, 2014 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Shortly thereafter, Lambda Legal filed a motion seeking immediate relief for Niki Quasney, Amy Sandler and their two children ages 3 and 1. Five years ago, Niki was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer, enduring multiple surgeries and years of chemotherapy. After nearly 14 years together, the couple married in Massachusetts last year.  In two separate decisions issued in April and May, the court ordered the State of Indiana to recognize their out-of-state marriage.

Last month, Lambda Legal urged the court to grant the freedom to marry to all Indiana same-sex couples and respect all out-of-state marriages by striking down Indiana’s marriage ban in its entirety. Today’s ruling joins the unbroken string of court decisions across the country to come down in favor of marriage equality.

“What an awesome day for Indiana. We are grateful that Judge Young concurs with recent court opinions and that he sees beyond our situation. Now, along with Niki and I, all couples in Indiana have the freedom to marry. We are especially happy for our children  because they'll be growing up in state that values all families equally," said Amy Sandler

“We’re thankful that we no longer have to worry about what would happen if one of us becomes ill and we have to rush to the hospital. We have waited for this moment since we decided to share our lives with each other.’” said Rae Baskin, lead plaintiff in the case.

Read more about the families and the entire case here: http://www.lambdalegal.org/take-action/love-unites-us/indiana

Paul D. Castillo, Staff Attorney, and Camilla Taylor, Marriage Project Director, are handling the case Baskin v. Bogan for Lambda Legal. They are joined by Barbara Baird of the Law Office of Barbara J. Baird in Indianapolis as well as Jordan Heinz, Brent Ray, Melanie MacKay, and Dmitriy Tishyevich of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.