Legislature should decide gay marriage issue, NY judge rules News
Legislature should decide gay marriage issue, NY judge rules

[JURIST] A New York Supreme Court judge dealt a blow to same-sex couples seeking the right to marry on Thursday, upholding the state's stance that the extension of marriage rights is a matter for the state legislature rather than the courts to decide. Last year in Ithaca [official website], 25 same-sex couples applied for marriage licenses, supported by Mayor Carolyn Peterson. Judge Robert Mulvey cited the possibility of changing social values influencing lawmakers, but said the matter is not the duty of the court to decide. Attorneys for the couples promise to appeal, but because the case hinges largely on statutory interpretation and not constitutional rights, the case will not be able to go directly to the Court of Appeals, New York's top court. The Ithaca Journal has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Montgomery started racially-integrated bus service after boycott

On December 21, 1956, buses in Montgomery, Alabama, started racially integrated service following federal court rulings ending on-board segregation. Bus boycott leaders Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were among the first riders under the new scheme. Learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Stalin born

On December 21, 1879, Joseph Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia. In 1922, he became leader of the USSR until his death in 1953. During his time as Soviet dictator, Stalin industrialized his country, which he then led to become one of the world's two superpowers after WWII. Through his infamous purges, show trials and nationwide famines, Stalin also became responsible for millions of deaths.