Gay Couples Testify In Boulder Court Over Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)- Some of the 100 gay couples who have marriage licenses from Boulder County testified in court where the battle over gay marriage is playing out. Colorado's attorney general is suing Boulder County's clerk, ordering them to stop issuing same-sex marriage licenses.
Fourteen witnesses testified before a Boulder District Court judge in a hearing that lasted three hours.
"This is what equality is about. It's about giving people the same rights as everyone else has," said Samantha Frazee after she testified.
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She is one who told her story, hoping to convince the judge to let Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall continue issuing same-sex marriage licenses. She has issued about 100 same-sex marriage licenses since June 25.
Others testified their inability to marry has hurt their lives, made adopting children difficult and kept them from achieving their life goals.
Outside the hearing gay marriage supporters rallied, carrying signs in support of Hall's actions.
"She's not backing down, absolutely," said Boulder resident Zane Guilfoyle. "We need more people like her in offices across the country."
Hall's actions come after an appeals court based in Denver ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage in Utah was unconstitutional. The court also issued a stay stating the law shouldn't change until the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision.
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has said Hall is only taking one part of the ruling and ignoring the other. He is urging her to let the issue play out at the Supreme Court level before those licenses in Boulder can be issued.
When Hall refused, Suthers filed a lawsuit asking a judge to order Hall to stop, arguing in court that the rule of law is at stake.
Hall's defense argues if she were to stop issuing the licenses Hall would be violating the U.S. Constitution and the human rights it guarantees.
"I think I'm doing my job as I'm supposed to be doing it, which is to ensure the Constitutional rights of the citizens of my county that elected me," said Hall.
Suthers maintains those licenses are invalid. What remains unclear is how the courts decision could impact the more than 100 same-sex couples who have already received a marriage license.
