Federal Judge John J. Heyburn II ruled today that the Commonwealth's refusal to recognize same sex marriages legal in other jurisdictions is a violation of the Equal Protections Clause of the US Constitution.

According to a report in USA Today, linked below, the ruling does not mandate same sex marriage in Kentucky. The Judge reference the US Supreme Court's striking down the Defense of Marriage Act. the ruling said that Kentucky treats gay and lesbian couples differently from hetrosexual couples.

Reacting to the news, US Representative John Yarmuth issued the following statement: Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) issued the following statement:

“I am proud of the four Kentucky families who are standing up for marriage equality in this lawsuit and of the thousands more who continue this fight every day. Today’s ruling is an important step forward in the march toward recognition of all marriages under the law and full equality in our Commonwealth.”

Judge Heyburn joins nine other federal courts in this ruling.