Walker talks to reporters (FILE PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)
The U.S. Supreme Court refuses to consider an appeal of the same-sex marriage ban in Wisconsin — and four other states. Governor Scott Walker says, “I believe it’s over in the state of Wisconsin, yes.”
As for the hundreds of couples who had tied the knot in June, Walker says it’s up to the courts to decide whether those unions will be legally recognized. “We’re going to follow the law according to the court of appeals. We’ll have to leave that up to the attorney general office as to the proper way to do that.” He says the federal courts have been pretty clear and he’ll abide by their decisions.
Majority voters in 2006 approved a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Wisconsin, but that decision went through a series of appeals. Walker’s gubernatorial challenger, Mary Burke, hailed the high court’s decision, saying those who have stood in the way of same-sex marriage are “squarely on the wrong side of history.”
Walker says he was merely adhering to the law, and will continue to do so. “The simple answer is we are following the law as defined by the U.S. Court of Appeals and ultimately because of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court.” He concedes the fight over gay marriage in Wisconsin is over.
AUDIO: Walker voted for the gay marriage ban in 2006, but says he doesn’t consider the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision a personal failing. :33
Walker says he didn’t create the law, but he did vote for the constitutional change, he says, “like the majority of voters in the state of Wisconsin.” As governor, he says, he’s obligated to support the constitution.