Oregon gay-marriage ban goes to court this week

Salem, Ore. (AP) — The future of Oregon's ban on same-sex marriage goes before a federal judge this week.

Critics of the ban are scheduled to argue that it unconstitutionally discriminates against gays and lesbians.

Federal judges in five states have thrown out voter-approved bans on same-sex marriage on constitutional grounds since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year, and many other challenges are pending.

Oregon's attorney general, Democrat Ellen Rosenblum, says Oregon's ban is legally indefensible, and her office filed a lengthy brief urging U.S. District Judge Michael McShane to throw it out. No one has submitted legal arguments for upholding the ban.

Oral arguments are scheduled Wednesday at U.S. District Court in Eugene.

by Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press

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The Gayly – April 20, 2014 @ 11am