NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The state of Louisiana has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take the rare step of hearing an appeal of Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriages before a federal appeals court rules.
Attorney Kyle Duncan filed the request this week. He’s asking the justices to hear appeals of both Louisiana’s case and the only other federal court decision upholding gay marriage bans. The appeals court in Cincinnati upheld bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is to hear Louisiana’s appeal and one from Texas on January 9.
Kyle says he doubts the high court will decide before then whether to hear Louisiana’s case.
Gay-rights advocates asked the high court in November to review Louisiana’s case and the Cincinnati appellate court ruling.
