Federal judge strikes down Idaho's same-sex marriage ban, saying it's unconstitutional

BOISE, Idaho – A federal magistrate judge has ruled that Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

U.S. District Magistrate Judge Candy Dale wrote in the ruling Tuesday evening that Idaho's laws banning same-sex marriage unconstitutionally deny gay and lesbian citizens of their fundamental right to marry.

Dale says marriage works a fundamental change on the lives of all who experience it, and holds immense personal and spiritual significance. She says Idaho's laws wrongly stigmatize gay and lesbian couples and relegate their families to second-class status without sufficient reason.

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has already said he intends to appeal the case.