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Oregon Judge Denies Motion to Intervene In Gay Marriage Case

Plaintiffs gathered outside the courthouse to celebrate the denial of the motion to intervene.
Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network
Plaintiffs gathered outside the courthouse to celebrate the denial of the motion to intervene.

A federal judge in Eugene has denied a national group's attempt to defend Oregon's ban on same-sex marriage. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane said the National Organization of Marriage failed to prove why it should be allowed to intervene in the case.  

Plaintiffs gathered outside the courthouse to celebrate the denial of the motion to intervene.
Credit Chris Lehman / Northwest News Network
/
Northwest News Network
Plaintiffs gathered outside the courthouse to celebrate the denial of the motion to intervene.

  The ruling came immediately following a hearing this morning. The judge did not indicate when he would rule on the underlying merits of the case. Four Oregon same-sex couples sued to overturn the 2004 voter-approved law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Gay rights advocates said today's ruling gives them hope. An attorney for the National Organization For Marriage says his group plans to appeal the judge's denial of the motion to intervene.

Copyright 2014 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December 2018 and became News Director in March 2023. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”