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What The Supreme Court Ruling On Same-Sex Marriage Means For Nevada

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A ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last year made same-sex marriage legal in the state of Nevada, so what impact does Friday's Supreme Court ruling mean for the state?

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the United States today declared that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States.

In Nevada, it’s been almost a year since the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. So what does the ruling mean for Nevada?

Tod Story is the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Nevada. He said the ruling has little impact on couples in Nevada, but it is an historic day for the LGBTQ community.

"I'm overwhelmed personally," Story said. "Because the decision certainly finds that every couple deserves the same equality and the same dignity under the constitution."

Although the circuit court ruling last year allowed same-sex couples to get married in Nevada, the state constitution includes language defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. 

Story said there were rumblings in this past state Legislature about removing that language.

"I would anticipate in 2017 the Legislature would do exactly that," Story said.

While same-sex couples will now have their marriages recognized in any state in the union, there are still questions about businesses denying services to those couples. 

"I think that will have to be a decision state by state," Story said.

He also pointed out that while members of the LGBTQ community can now get married in any state, many states do not have protections against discrimination in the work place. 

"You could get married today but fired on Monday," Story noted.

Click Here to read the court ruling

Minority leader Senator Harry Reid, D-NV, released a statement that said in part:

“Today the Supreme Court ruled on the right side of history. In every state in our great union, officials will be required to issue the same marriage licenses to loving and committed same-sex couples that straight couples have always been entitled to receive."

Rep. Dina Titus, D-NV, tweeted: 

"Truly a historic day for our country! Proud to be a part of this moment when #LoveWins!"

Sen. Dean Heller, R-NV wrote on his website:

“I personally believe marriage is between a man and a woman. However, I represent Nevadans of many beliefs, and it’s important to be respectful of differing viewpoints on this matter. That is why I respect the decision handed down today by the United States Supreme Court,” said Senator Dean Heller.

Tod Story, executive director, ACLU

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Prior to taking on the role of Broadcast Operations Manager in January 2021, Rachel was the senior producer of KNPR's State of Nevada program for 6 years. She helped compile newscasts and provided coverage for and about the people of Southern Nevada, as well as major events such as the October 1 shooting on the Las Vegas strip, protests of racial injustice, elections and more. Rachel graduated with a bachelor's degree of journalism and mass communications from New Mexico State University.