US: NOM appeals reversal of Oregon marriage ban

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) sought an appeal Wednesday to a federal court ruling that overturned Oregon’s same-sex marriage ban.

Two weeks after a three-judge panel rejected NOM’s appeal of a 19 May decision striking down the ban, the group is asking the entire 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the appeal.

The group’s attorneys argued that NOM has the right to appeal the Oregon decision on behalf of its Oregon members.

Last May several same-sex couples sued the state claiming that the ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.

NOM attempted to intervene when Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum refused to defend the ban and urged the court to strike it down.

US District Court Judge Michael McShane ruled that the state’s ban was unconstitutional, allowing Oregon same-sex couples to begin registering for marriage licenses.

In June, NOM petitioned the US Supreme Court for a stay, while it moved to appeal. They claimed because both Rosenblum and McShane were pro-marriage equality there was no opposing voice in the Oregon litigation.

The US Supreme Court denied the request.