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Court Ruling On Marriage Bans Could Push Issue To US Supreme Court

A federal appeals court in Cincinnati has upheld anti-gay marriage laws in four states, breaking ranks with other courts that have considered the issue and setting up the prospect of Supreme Court review.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel that heard arguments on gay marriage bans or restrictions in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee on Aug. 6 split 2-1, with Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton writing the majority opinion. The ruling revealed Thursday creates a divide among federal appeals courts, increasing the likelihood the Supreme Court will now take up the issue.  
 
A group seeking a constitutional amendment on the ballot to overturn Ohio's gay marriage ban says it will continue that push while hoping that the issue will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.   FreedomOhio Executive Director Ian James outlined that plan in a statement Thursday after the federal appeals court ruling was released.  James says his group hopes that the U.S. Supreme Court will now take up the issue and rule such bans are unconstitutional.  In the meantime, he says the group will continue collecting signatures for the ballot effort in Ohio. 
 

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