LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s attorney general says he won’t appeal an order to recognize same-sex marriages from other states and countries and will allow a judge’s order to take effect March 20.
Attorney General Jack Conway’s decision, announced Tuesday morning, means same-sex couples will be allowed to pursue name changes, file joint tax returns with the state, and seek to have names added to birth certificates. The Democrat said at a news conference that he would not defend discrimination.
The move comes four days after a federal judge in Louisville gave the state 21 days to implement a ruling overturning a voter-imposed ban on recognizing same-sex unions.
U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn issued a Feb. 12 opinion that Kentucky’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages violated the Constitution’s equal-protection clause.
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