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Latta v. Otter, 771 F.3d 456, 14 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 11,679, 2014 Daily Journal D.A.R. 13,677

Facts

Same-sex couples in Idaho and Nevada challenged the constitutionality of state laws and constitutional amendments that prohibited same-sex marriage and refused to recognize valid same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. The United States District Court for Idaho ruled in favor of the couples, while the District Court for Nevada upheld the prohibition. The appeals were consolidated, and the court addressed whether the laws violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Issue

Did the statutes and constitutional amendments in Idaho and Nevada that prevent same-sex couples from marrying and refuse to recognize same-sex marriages validly performed elsewhere violate the Equal Protection Clause?

Did the statutes and constitutional amendments in Idaho and Nevada that prevent same-sex couples from marrying and refuse to recognize same-sex marriages validly performed elsewhere violate the Equal Protection Clause?

Rule

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from denying any person equal protection of the laws. Classifications based on sexual orientation are subject to heightened scrutiny, meaning that any law discriminating on this basis must serve a legitimate state interest and be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from denying any person equal protection of the laws. Classifications based on sexual orientation are subject to heightened scrutiny, meaning that any law discriminating on this basis must serve a legitimate state interest and be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.

Analysis

Conclusion

The court affirmed the ruling of the Idaho District Court, holding that the laws in Idaho and Nevada violated the Equal Protection Clause and were therefore unconstitutional.

The court affirmed the ruling of the Idaho District Court, holding that the laws in Idaho and Nevada violated the Equal Protection Clause and were therefore unconstitutional.

Who won?

The same-sex couples prevailed in their challenge against the Idaho and Nevada laws prohibiting same-sex marriage. The court determined that the laws were unconstitutional as they discriminated against individuals based on their sexual orientation, failing to meet the heightened scrutiny standard required for such classifications.

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