Judge's order strikes down Nebraska ban on gay marriage

Omaha, Neb. (AP) — A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction striking down Nebraska's now-negated ban on gay marriage and civil unions.

The injunction issued Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bataillon was largely a formality, as a Supreme Court ruling in late June legalized gay marriage across the country.

Bataillon's injunction orders state officials to treat same-sex couples the same as different-sex couples in everything from processing marriage certificates to issuing birth certificates.

State attorneys had argued that the injunction was not necessary, because the state has complied with the Supreme Court's ruling since it was issued.

But several same-sex couples who challenged the state's ban in 2014 argued that the state's attempt last year to exclude same-sex spouses on their children's birth certificates showed that the injunction was necessary.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – February 5, 2016 @ 1:10 p.m.