Championing Marriage Equality: Susan Butler’s Legal Advocacy

Susan Butler co-wrote the amicus brief filed by the Virginia Chapter of the AAML (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers) in the Fourth Circuit case in support of lifting the Virginia ban on same-sex marriage. The court in that case ruled that denial of marriage licenses to same sex couples in Virginia in unconstitutional.

Today, the Fourth Circuit decided to stay its ruling on the gay marriage ban. Marriage licenses could start being issued as early as next week. However, the Prince William County Clerk of Court Michele B. McQuigg has stated that she intends to seek an emergency stay from the United States Supreme Court. If the U.S. Supreme Court does not issue the emergency stay, same sex couples will be able to obtain marriage licenses in Virginia. A petition for review by the U.S. Supreme Court has been filed; it is not known yet whether the court will hear the case.