Waters v. Ricketts - Freedom to Marry in Nebraska
What's at Stake
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Nebraska and the law firm of Koenig | Dunne have filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of seven couples who seek state recognition of their marriages or who seek the freedom to marry in Nebraska.
Summary
The plaintiffs include Susan and Sally Waters of Omaha who have been together for 17 years. In January 2013, Sally was diagnosed with breast cancer and her future is uncertain.
The plaintiffs allege that the state’s constitutional marriage ban unlawfully discriminates against lesbians, gay men, and their children. Due to Sally Waters’ medical condition, the attorneys will be filing a separate motion for emergency relief.
On March 3rd, 2015, the District Court of Nebraska granted Plaintiffs' injunction and ruling that the ban on marriage for same-sex couples was unconstituional. The decision was stayed pending appeals.
Status: On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that state bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. Same-sex couples now have the freedom to marry in all 50 states. VICTORY!
Legal Documents
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12/02/2014
Waters v. Heineman - Amended Complaint
Date Filed: 12/02/2014
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12/02/2014
Waters v. Heineman - Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Date Filed: 12/02/2014
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11/17/2014
Waters v. Heineman - Complaint
Date Filed: 11/17/2014
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09/29/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - Brief In Support of Defendant's Objections to Supplement to Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 09/29/2015
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09/24/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - Supplement to Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment
Date Filed: 09/24/2015
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08/11/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - 8th Circuit Opinion Affirming Preliminary Injunction
Date Filed: 08/11/2015
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04/20/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - Appellees' Brief at 8th Circuit
Date Filed: 04/20/2015
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03/31/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - Appellants' Brief at 8th Circuit
Date Filed: 03/31/2015
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03/02/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - Memo and Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Date Filed: 03/02/2015
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03/02/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - Injunction
Date Filed: 03/02/2015
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01/29/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - Plaintiffs' Reply in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Date Filed: 01/29/2015
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01/22/2015
Waters v. Ricketts - State Defendants' Brief in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Date Filed: 01/22/2015
Press Releases
ACLU Files Lawsuit, Seeks Freedom to Marry for Nebraskans
