Gay Marriage Ban Struck Down in Missouri

Missouri’s ban on same-sex marriage was ruled unconstitutional on Wednesday. St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison said the state’s ban violated the 14^th Amendment and that licenses could start being issued to gay couples immediately. Last month, a Kansas City judge ruled that the same-sex couples who were married in states or counties where gay marriage is permitted must be legally recognized by the state. In both cases, lawyers from the office of Attorney General Chris Koster defended state law, though Koster himself publicly supports same-sex marriage. "Missouri's future will be one of inclusion not exclusion," he said of Wednesday’s ruling.