A group of gay couples is asking Arkansas' highest court to uphold a judge's ruling striking down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, arguing the U.S. Supreme Court is indicating that such bans are unconstitutional by not taking up similar cases.
The couples on Tuesday asked the Arkansas Supreme Court to uphold Pulaski County Judge Chris Piazza's ruling striking down a 2004 constitutional amendment and earlier state law defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
Couples cited the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject appeals from five states that sought to prohibit same-sex marriage. They also requested oral arguments before the court.
Piazza's ruling led to 541 gay couples receiving marriage licenses before the decision was suspended by the state Supreme Court.
