Wisconsin's A.G. makes stay request in gay marriage case

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has asked a federal judge to place on hold any order she may make that would strike down the state's ban on gay marriage.

The Republican Van Hollen filed the contingent motion to stay on Friday, asking that current law remain in place while he appealed any future order.

It's another signal that Van Hollen expects U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb to rule against the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of eight gay couples in February challenging Wisconsin's constitutional ban on gay marriage. The lawsuit contends the state's ban denies gay couples the civil rights that other married couples enjoy.