Appeals Court Rules Against Gay Marriage Bans In Indiana, Wisconsin

 A U.S. appeals court in Chicago has ruled that gay marriage bans in Wisconsin and Indiana are unconstitutional.  Thursday's decision bumps the number of states where gay marriage will be legal from 19 to 21.

Thursday's decision by a three-judge panel at the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was unanimous.

The Wisconsin and Indiana cases shifted to Chicago after their attorneys general appealed separate lower court rulings in June tossing the bans. The 7th Circuit stayed those rulings pending its own decision.
 
During oral arguments in August, one judge appointed by a Republican likened same-sex marriage bans to laws once barring interracial marriage.

Judge Richard Posner said they derived from "hate ... and savage discrimination'' of gays.
 
The states argued the prohibitions helped foster a centuries-old tradition.

The ruling sent hundreds of Indiana couples flocking to clerks' offices across the state for marriage licenses, but those were halted when the appeals court granted a state request for a stay.
 
It wasn't immediately clear Thursday whether same-sex marriages would resume.
 
American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana legal director Ken Falk says the organization is convinced Young's decision was correct but will wait to see what the next legal steps are.
 
The attorney general's office was reviewing the ruling.