From: FORMNATL@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 18:40:11 -0400 (EDT) Subject: LEGAL HISTORY (please update on websites) Legal History (revised 7/97) In 1971 in Minnesota, Baker v. Nelson, the first same-sex marriage case brought in the United States, is ruled against plaintiffs Richard John Baker and James Michael McConnell. In 1972 in Wisconsin, Burkett v. Zablocki is ruled against two female plaintiffs. In 1973 in Kentucky, Jones v. Hallahan is ruled against two female plaintiffs. In 1974 in the state of Washington, Singer v. Hara is ruled against two male plaintiffs. In 1991 in the District of Columbia, Dean v. D.C. is ruled against plaintiffs Craig Dean and Patrick Gill. Appeals to the Circuit Court of Appeals (the highest court in D.C.) also resulted in a loss. In 1993 in Hawaii, Baehr v. Lewin (since renamed Baehr v. Miike), the landmark same-sex marriage case, is ruled initially in favor of plaintiffs Joseph Melilio, Pat Lagon, Genora Dancel, Ninia Baehr, Tammy Rodrigues, and Antoinette Pregil. (A lower court had previously ruled against plaintiffs.) The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that discrimination against same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses presumptively violates the state's Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) barring discrimination on the basis of sex. Unless the state can demonstrate a "compelling state interest" in this denial, it will have to issue marriage licenses to these and all other same-sex couples who otherwise qualify. The case was reheard on September 10th, 1996, and on December 3rd, the court ruled that licenses must be issued to same-sex couples. The state appealed, and the court agreed to a stay on issuance of the licenses pending the outcome. (Licenses not expected to be issued until 1998.) In 1994 in Arizona, Callender v. Corbett, is ruled against plaintiffs Jerry Callender, Antonio Muniz, John Duran, Stephen Baker, Eileen Jutras, Lizbeth Petrucci, Kathy Greaves, and Aileen McMurrer. Plans for appeal are put on hold pending a final decision in Baehr. In 1995 in Alaska, a case was filed by Jay Brause and Gene Dugan. In 1996 in New York state, a case was filed by Toshav and Phillip Storrs. The Tompkins County Court ruled against them; the couple has indicated they will appeal to the state Court of Appeals. In 1997 in Vermont, a case was filed by three couples; Stan Baker and Peter Harrigan, Nina Beck and Stacy Jolles, and Lois Farnham and Holly Puterbaugh. rrr Marriage cases have also been recently initiated in Wisconsin and Florida, but these are believed to be on hold indefinitely. ----------------------------------------------------- The Forum on the Right to Marriage (FORM) Box 8033 JFK Station Boston, MA 02114 (617) 868-FORM FORMNATL@aol.com HTTP://www.calico-company.com/formboston America Online: Keyword: GLCF Library. New Files -or- Legal Issues -or- Organizations Materials available: Arguments/Letters to the Editor Flier (new) * General Quotations Hawaii Primer How You Can Help Ithaca Primer Law Chart Law Review Summary Legal History Legal Summary Marriage Primer Press Kit * Resources Timeline Wedding Announcements *available soon ############################## FORM is a national grassroots organization primarily engaged in education and outreach concerning the issue of same-sex marriage. FORM provides resources and training to similar locally based groups throughout country. FORM exists as well to facilitate and support the efforts of individuals, whether legal or legislative, that advance the cause of same-sex marriage in the United States. When feasible, FORM will work in concert with gay and lesbian political groups to optimize organized efforts to attain same-sex marriage rights. ########################################## --------(Please print out, cut here, and mailback)----------- Please help us to begin building the framework for legalizing same-sex marriage. _ Yes, I want to be a member of FORM. Please enter my membership at the following level: _ Individual ($20.) _ Household ($30.) _ Student/Low-income ($10.) _ I want to make an additional contribution in the amount of: $ _____ (Please make checks payable to: Forum on the Right to Marriage (FORM), Inc.) _ Add me to your mailing list: __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ _ I'm interested in becoming a FORM organizer/starting a chapter in my area. We hope that you will become involved in FORM. But the most important thing, in whatever aspect of gay rights we may be involved in, is that we as gay people share with those around us the truth of our lives. FORM's activities can serve only as an adjunct to individual gay men, women, and young people willing to reach out and change the hearts and minds of the American people. Thanks for your interest and your continued assistance in helping to make marriage a reality for the gay community. Please mail to: The Forum on the Right to Marriage (FORM) Box 8033 JFK Station Boston, MA 02114 *********************************** Contributions to FORM go solely toward our efforts to obtain full marriage rights for same-sex couples.