Ruling Sought in Arizona Same-Sex Marriage Case

Gay and lesbian couples challenging Arizona's ban on same-sex marriage are asking a federal court for a pretrial ruling in their favor.

A request is made in a motion submitted to the federal court in Phoenix for filing on behalf of seven couples who are currently plaintiffs in the case.

The motion asks for summary judgment declaring that the ban violates constitutional protections for due process of law and equal protection under the law.

The case is one of two Arizona same-sex marriage ban challenges filed this year and pending in federal court in Phoenix.

Lawyers for the state deny that Arizona's ban violates constitutional rights.

Arizona lawmakers approved a state law barring same-sex marriages in 1996, and voters in 2008 amended the Arizona Constitution to include a ban.