A judge in Pinedale, Wyoming faced discipline from the Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics for a newspaper interview she gave stating that she would not officiate same-sex marriages. She said, “When law and religion conflict, choices have to be made.”

In a historic 3-2 ruling on March 7th, the Supreme Court of Wyoming has found that a municipal judge violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and that same-sex couples have the same constitutional right to be served by a judge who will “perform her judicial functions with impartiality.” The court found that the judge, “ like all judges, has taken an oath to enforce all laws, and the public depends on an impartial judiciary, regardless of religious sentiment.”

Federation member Wyoming Equality applauds this ruling on judicial impartiality as an affirmation that LGBT couples in Wyoming choose to live in The Equality State, with a strong ethic of live and let live and public officials performing their duties for the entire public.

It was chilling to read that Judge Neely had lumped members of the LGBT community into a category that included “drunks, thieves and liars”. This does not represent the live and let live attitude that has led thousands of LGBT people to make their home here under the understanding that if we pay our taxes and obey the laws, we will be treated with dignity and respect.

Sara Burlingame, Public Education and Outreach Coordinator, released the following statement:

“The Supreme Court of Wyoming has assured all Wyoming citizens, LGBT and heterosexual alike, that the rule of law is here for all.  In an increasingly divisive national climate, here in the Equality State the law is here for everyone, not just some.  We reject the premise that public officials can select which laws they choose to follow.  We pay our taxes, too. And today, we are heartened that the Wyoming Supreme Court upholds our rights. “