The U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act will not change state laws regarding whether gay couples can marry. But gay rights activists say they hope the ruling will be an important step toward marriage equality in Wyoming.
Jeran Artery with the group Wyoming Equality says after today’s decision, his group is considering several options to try to get gay marriage legalized here.
“Do we look for the right couple to file a lawsuit here in Wyoming and try and take it to the Wyoming Supreme Court, or do we try to pursue it through legislative means?” Artery said.
Artery says now that the federal government will extend benefits to legally married gay couples, he hopes Wyoming lawmakers and judges will warm up to the idea of allowing same-sex couples to marry in the Equality State.