BOISE, Idaho -- Waving rainbow flags and holding signs that read "Love will prevail," nearly 200 gay-rights supporters flocked to the steps of a county courthouse Friday to celebrate and protest the latest developments in Idaho's legal battle over same-sex marriage.
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The rally originally was planned as a party after a federal judge ruled earlier this week that the state's gay-marriage ban was unconstitutional. The judge said couples could marry starting Friday morning.
On Thursday, however, the ruling was temporarily put on hold by a federal appeals court deciding whether Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden should be granted a stay while they appeal.
Not to be deterred, gay-rights supporters showed up at the Ada County Courthouse anyway to celebrate what they see as progress for the cause.
"When you walk a mile in our shoes, you get used to setbacks," said Boise resident Selina Heck, who went to the rally with her partner, Holly Gilchrist. After being together for 19 years, the couple said they decided to get a marriage license once they saw U.S. District Judge Candy Dale had overturned the state ban.
"We were deflated when we heard the stay was granted," Heck said. "But it will get better. We are still hopeful."
On the outskirts of the rally, four protesters quietly stood holding signs saying, "I support you Gov. Otter and Attorney General Wasden, Idaho voted, our vote should stand" and "My vote should count."
"We were disappointed in Judge Dale's decision," said Sue Barclay of Nampa, who went to protest the rally with her son James. "The people of Idaho voted on this. Now I feel like our vote is being ignored."
Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. Judges in seven other states have struck down bans on gay marriage, though officials in those states are appealing. Lawsuits are challenging bans in other states.
In Oregon, U.S. District Judge Michael McShane said Friday that he will issue a decision next week on a constitutional challenge to his state's ban. State officials said same-sex marriages can begin almost immediately if McShane strikes down the law.
Information for this article was contributed by Nigel Duara and Jonathan J. Cooper of The Associated Press.
A Section on 05/17/2014