Wisconsin Appeals Gay Marriage Case to High Court

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that the state's gay marriage ban is unconstitutional.

Van Hollen, a Republican, filed the request Tuesday. It's unclear when the high court might respond.

Civil rights advocates sued the state in February, saying the gay marriage ban violates same-sex couples' equal protection rights. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb declared the ban unconstitutional in June, and hundreds of gay couples wed before she put the ruling on hold a week later pending appeal.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago upheld Crabb's decision last week, rejecting the state's argument that straight marriages are tradition.

Same-sex marriages remain on hold in Wisconsin until the Supreme Court decides not to take the case or rules.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.