Appeals court overturns ban, but Milwaukee County not yet issuing same-sex marriage licenses

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A U.S. appeals court in Chicago has ruled that gay marriage bans in Wisconsin and Indiana are unconstitutional -- but despite the ruling, which came Thursday afternoon, September 4th, Milwaukee County isn't issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele praised the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals for overturning the ban on same sex marriage in Wisconsin.

“This is yet another historic step forward for marriage equality. For too long, loving couples have been told they cannot marry, this ruling moves us closer to true equality in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the United States,” said County Executive Abele.

While the ruling overturns the ban, it does not overturn the lower courts stay on issuing marriage licenses, meaning Milwaukee County cannot yet issue new licenses to same sex couples. County Executive Abele vowed to do everything in his power to reissue licenses “as soon as we possibly can.”

In the days after the original federal court ruling in June that legalized marriage equality, hundreds of same sex couples were married at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. County Executive Abele personally paid more than $7,000 for the overtime costs associated with keeping the building open late and over the weekend.

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