I thought this was worth its own note, just because the reasoning was so beautiful.
The Attorney General of Missouri, Chris Koster, said that following the Supreme Court’s ruling letting the repeal of other state’s marriage bans stand, Missouri will start honoring all marriages from the states that allow gay marriage. In his words:
The circuit court’s judgment in Barrier v. Vasterling held that Missouri must recognize marriages lawfully entered into in other states. We will not appeal that judgment. Our national government is founded upon principles of federalism — a system that empowers Missouri to set policy for itself, but also obligates us to honor contracts entered into in other states.
A consequence of this morning’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court is that gay marriage will soon be legal in as many as 30 states. At a time when Missouri is competing to attract the nation’s premier businesses and most talented employees, we should not demand that certain individuals surrender their marriage licenses in order to live and work among us.
Missouri’s future will be one of inclusion, not exclusion.
What a beautiful thing to hear. E Pluribus Unum, Missouri.
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