Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts says the state will follow the law and respect the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.
In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled Friday that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. Nebraska voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2000 defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Iowa began legally recognizing same-sex marriages in 2009.
Jay Irwin, an assistant professor of sociology at UNO who studies LGBT rights issues, says the Court’s ruling reflects a shift in attitudes about marriage and family.
"A lot of identity pieces around who we are as people get attached to our relationships with others. So having this legal recognition from the U.S. Supreme Court is kind of a stamp of approval, in a way, from the government."
The Douglas and Sarpy County Clerk’s offices began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples late Friday morning.
In a statement, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson says “the Supreme Court created a new Constitutional right based upon sexual choices.” But Peterson says Nebraska won’t enforce any laws that are contrary to the Court’s ruling.