BREAKING: Federal Judge Strikes Down Oregon Same-Sex Marriage Ban

U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane has ruled that Oregon's ban on same-sex marriage, Measure 36, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment.

In his opinion, Judge McShane wrote, "All of the plaintiffs share in the characteristics that we would normally look to when we describe the ideals of marriage and family. They present in the record as loving and committed couples who have established long-term relationships. Each has solemnized that relationship in the presence of their families and friends. One couple legally married in Canada, and others temporarily obtained marriage licenses in Multnomah County in 2004. Three of the four couples are parents, and are involved in their children's schools and activities. They support each other financially and emotionally and, by all accounts, their lives have become more meaningful in the single life that they share together."

The National Organization for Marriage has filed an appeal in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and also requested an emergency stay of Judge McShane's ruling. The request for a stay was denied, but the appeal is still pending.