Tester urges Supreme Court to recognize all Montana couples' right to marry

Senator files amicus brief for upcoming same-sex marriage court case

(Helena, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester wants Montana’s same-sex couples to have their marriages recognized in all 50 states.

Tester today filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn bans on same-sex marriage.  Currently, if a married same-sex couple from Montana moves to a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage, that couple’s marriage could be invalidated.

37 U.S. states recognize same-sex marriage, while 13 do not.

“The rights of Montana couples shouldn’t be violated or overturned if they move to another state,” Tester said.  “All Montana couples should have the same rights to happiness and protections under the law that Sharla and I enjoy.”

Tester filed a similar brief two years ago urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the federal same-sex marriage ban.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on state same-sex marriage bans on April 28.