Attorney General Chris Koster (D) issued the following press release today:

November 5, 2014

AG Koster’s statement regarding today’s ruling in St. Louis same-sex marriage case

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster released the following statement regarding today’s ruling in State of Missouri v. Florida, Case No. 1422-CC09027, in the circuit court of the City of St.  Louis:

“The circuit court of the City of St. Louis today ruled that Missouri’s ban against same-sex marriage violates the equal protection and due process guarantees of the United States Constitution.

We have appealed the ruling to the Missouri Supreme Court. The constitutional challenge to Missouri’s historically recognized right to define marriage must be presented to and resolved by the state’s highest court.

Following decisions in Idaho and Alaska, the United States Supreme Court has refused to grant stays on identical facts. We will not seek a stay of this court’s order when the United States Supreme Court has ruled none should be granted.”

Rough translation: I’m not going to waste time and money fighting a fight that’s already been lost. Oh, and by the way, let’s get to the only resolution now possible as quickly as possible.

Demonstration at the J.C. Nichols fountain in the park at 47th and Main in Kansas City on November 15, 2008.

They cut the baby in half.

May 26 2009 S168047 Strauss v. Horton 5/26/09 SC

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA…

…For the third time in recent years, this court is called upon to address a question under California law relating to marriage and same-sex couples…

…Accordingly, we conclude that each of the state constitutional challenges to Proposition 8 advanced by petitioners and the Attorney General lacks merit.  Having been approved by a majority of the voters at the November 4, 2008 election, the initiative measure lawfully amends the California Constitution to include the new provision as article I, section 7.5…

…Finally, we consider whether Proposition 8 affects the validity of the marriages of same-sex couples that were performed prior to the adoption of Proposition 8.  Applying well-established legal principles pertinent to the question whether a constitutional provision should be interpreted to apply prospectively or retroactively, we conclude that the new section cannot properly be interpreted to apply retroactively.  Accordingly, the marriages of same-sex couples performed prior to the effective date of Proposition 8 remain valid and must continue to be recognized in this state…

Our previous coverage of public demonstrations:

Proposition 8 rally in Kansas City

Proposition 8 rally in Kansas City – more photos

Join the Impact in Saint Louis

You can bet there’ll be more.

Essentially, Columbia, MO now recognizes same sex domestic partnerships as equivalent to heterosexual marriage. The measure passed the city council unanimously. More later.

UPDATE: OK, I got that wrong. Per this editorial in favor of the measure, it sets up a registry where same sex couples could put their commitment on the record, and companies could choose to recognize their relationship as they see fit. On the scale of marriage equality, it’s below civil unions and far short of marriage, but better than the status quo. And I’m not sure how much better it could be, considering that the state constitution explicitly only recognizes marriage as an institution between a man and a woman. Still, cause for rejoicing.

UPDATE II: I just talked to AJ Bockelman, the executive director of PROMO. He was very excited about the decision, and stressed that it was the culmination of months of work. He saw the passage of the registry as another sign that Columbia, MO is an open, welcoming, and diverse city.

When I asked him what he meant by “the culmination of months of work” he said that they helped craft the ordinance, met with city council members to discuss the various aspects and impact of it, and worked with local members to get support. He was overjoyed that it passed unanimously.

When I asked him to describe the ordinance in more detail, Bockelman explained that it set up a registry where any couple (gay or straight) could register their commitment and at least have a document to show that they are family to each other. For instance, a couple could now provide documentation for visitation rights at the hospital, or for health insurance for partners at work. He explained that this is still a far cry from marriage equality, that it’s as close to marriage equality as a single lightbulb is to the electrical system of the University of Missouri, but it’s still a positive step forward.