Montana's same-sex marriage ban lifted

GREAT FALLS, Mont., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris on Wednesday struck down the state's constitutional amendment preventing same-sex couples from getting married.

The ruling means same-sex couples can immediately be married in the state.

Morris said the ban violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The challenge came about after four same-sex couples, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, sued the state for the right to marry.

"These families, like all of us, want their children to adventure into the world without fear of violence; to achieve all that their talent and perseverance allows without fear of discrimination; and to love themselves so that they can love others. No family wants to deprive its precious children of the chance to marry the loves of their lives. Montana no longer can deprive Plaintiffs and other same-sex couples of the chance to marry their loves," Morris said in the ruling.

"It's a great day for Montana" said ACLU of Montana Executive Director Scott Crichton in a statement. "The ACLU has worked for decades to ensure the rights of LGBT people are protected and respected. We're humbled to be part of this history-making moment."

Montana banned same-sex marriage in a 2004 ballot measure.