Judge Wont Block Wisconsin Gay Marriage Ban

MADISON, Wis.-A federal judge says she won't block Wisconsin's gay marriage ban while a lawsuit challenging it moves forward.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb said Tuesday that she won't issue a preliminary injunction in the case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union. Crabb says an injunction would be immediately challenged, likely leading to a stay of the order. She has advised the ACLU to withdraw its motion for the injunction.

The State Journal reports Crabb says the plaintiffs should instead consider pursuing a "swift final determination" in federal court rather than litigating the case in stages with no immediate clear benefits.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have laws supporting same gender marriage.