Missouri will not appeal ruling ordering state to recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere

Shortly after the Supreme Court’s rejection of marriage equality appeals on Monday, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced that the state would not appeal a court ruling last week ordering the state to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Here is AG Koster’s statement on his decision not to appeal in Barrier v. Vasterling:

"The circuit court's judgment in Barrier v. Vasterling held that Missouri must recognize marriages lawfully entered into in other states. We will not appeal that judgment. Our national government is founded upon principles of federalism – a system that empowers Missouri to set policy for itself, but also obligates us to honor contracts entered into in other states.

A consequence of this morning's ruling by the United States Supreme Court is that gay marriage will soon be legal in as many as 30 states. At a time when Missouri is competing to attract the nation's premier businesses and most talented employees, we should not demand that certain individuals surrender their marriage licenses in order to live and work among us.

Missouri's future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion."

The the past, Koster has expressed personal support for marriage equality, but fought it on behalf of Missouri, according to Towleroad.com.

by Rob Howard, Associate Editor, The Gayly

The Gayly – October 7, 2014 @ 4:15pm