Arkansas to appeal federal gay marriage ruling

Little Rock, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas' attorney general says he will appeal a federal judge's ruling that found voters were wrong to ban gay marriage during a referendum 10 years ago.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Tuesday he would file a notice of appeal with the 8th U.S. Supreme Court of Appeals in St. Louis.

U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker ruled last month that a voter-approved gay-marriage ban and a separate state law are unconstitutional.

A decision in a similar case before the Arkansas Supreme Court is pending. McDaniel says he had hoped justices would have decided the case by now, but that he had to proceed because of a Friday deadline to appeal the federal case.

McDaniel has said he supports legalizing same-sex marriage but is obligated to defend the state constitution.

By Kelly P. Kissel, Associated Press. Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – December 23, 2014 @ 2:35pm