Wisconsin appeals gay marriage case to high court

MADISON (AP) — 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.

CLICK HERE to read Attorney General Van Hollen's petition to the Supreme Court.

CLICK HERE to read Judge Barbara Crabb's stay of her initial ruling that declared the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

CLICK HERE to read the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, declaring the state's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

CLICK HERE for full coverage on the same-sex marriage issue via FOX6Now.com.