Joe Connolly and Terry Pochert (aka “Terrel Pochert”) – First federal win in Arizona prior to Obergefell, catalyzed state recognition
Plaintiffs in Historic Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuit in Arizona
Who are they?
- Joe Connolly and Terry (Terrel) Pochert are longtime partners—together for nearly two decades as of early 2014—who legally married in California in 2008 but were not recognized in their home state of Arizona (kjzz.org).
- Both were active in their local University Lutheran church in Tempe and now with Dayspring United Methodist Church also in Tempe. They are motivated by both personal and faith-driven convictions to challenge the state’s refusal to recognize their marriage.
Legal action (Connolly v. Brewer / Connolly v. Jeanes)
- On January 6, 2014, Connolly and Pochert, along with several other couples, filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Arizona challenging the state’s same-sex marriage ban under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (clearinghouse.net).
- Their attorneys, including Shawn Aiken, asserted the ban violated the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the U.S. Constitution (clearinghouse.net).
- On July 29, 2014, Judge John Sedwick dismissed their nominal‑damages claim but reserved other claims (clearinghouse.net).
- Then on October 16, 2014, Judge Sedwick ruled in their favor, declaring Arizona’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional and enjoining its enforcement (aiken-thomason.com).
- Though Arizona appealed, the case was stayed pending the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision (June 2015), which affirmed nationwide same-sex marriage rights (aiken-thomason.com).
- With the federal ruling upheld, the plaintiffs were awarded $200,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs on September 30, 2015 (clearinghouse-umich-production.s3.amazonaws.com).
Impact & Legacy
- Their litigation marked the first major federal legal victory against Arizona’s same-sex marriage ban—issued eight months before the Supreme Court’s nationwide decision (aiken-thomason.com).
- It prompted Arizona’s Attorney General to direct county clerks (including Maricopa and Pinal) to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples .
Summary
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Names/Aliases | Joe Connolly & Terry (Terrel) Pochert |
| Relationship | Long-term partners; legally married in CA (2008) |
| Legal Action | Connolly v. Brewer / Connolly v. Jeanes—filed Jan 6, 2014 |
| Court Rulings | Dispute nominal damages Jul 29, 2014; ban struck down Oct 16, 2014 |
| Final Outcome | Ban effectively lifted; $200K awarded for legal fees Sept 30, 2015 |
| Historical Significance | First federal win in AZ prior to Obergefell, catalyzed state recognition |
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