Gay Rights Activists File Federal Lawsuit

A second lawsuit challenging Arizona’s same-sex marriage ban was filed on Thursday, claiming the state’s statute and constitution violate federal equal protection laws. The suit was filed by seven Arizona same-sex couples and the surviving spouses of two others. Gay-rights advocates believe Arizona is ready to move in a new direction after the rejection of Senate Bill 1062 last month.

According toThe Republic:This lawsuit, organized by the national gay-rights organization Lambda Legal and Phoenix-based law firm Perkins Coie, follows a similar legal challenge four other Arizona couples filed in January.

The lawsuits claim Arizona’s statute and the state’s Constitution, both of which define marriage as between one man and one woman, violate equal-protection and due-process rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment.

“We are asking the state they love and call home to end the discrimination against them and their families,” Lambda Legal senior counsel Jennifer Pizer said. “Our clients deserve to be treated equally by the government to which they pay taxes.”

Source:https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/13/arizona-same-sex-marriage-lawsuit/6378435/