Federal Judge Strikes Down Arkansas' Ban On Same-Sex Marriage

A federal judge has struck down Arkansas' gay marriage ban, which could pave the way for county clerks to eventually resume issuing licenses.

U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker ruled Tuesday in favor of a pair of same-sex couples who had challenged the 2004 constitutional amendment and an earlier state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

But Baker put her ruling on hold, and the state is expected to appeal it to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The ruling comes as the state Supreme Court is weighing a separate case, which stems from May, when a Pulaski County judge struck down the ban.

More than 500 same-sex couples married before the ruling was stayed. The justices have not indicated when they will rule.

Read the full ruling below.

4:13-cv-00410 #40 Arkansas Federal Decision

(from ArkansasBusiness.com)