An Arkansas legislative committee on
Friday rejected a non-binding resolution calling on the state Supreme
Court to overturn a lower court's ruling striking down the state's
ban on gay marriage.
The Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday
refused to stay Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's ruling
knocking down a 10-year-old voter-approved constitutional amendment
and a 1997 law prohibiting gay couples from marrying. But the
weddings of gay and lesbian couples already taking place came to a
halt when the high court said that Piazza had neglected to address a
separate state law that prohibits county clerks from issuing marriage
licenses to gay couples.
Weddings resumed on Thursday after
Piazza issued an order striking down all state laws preventing
same-sex couples from marrying.
According
to KHBS/KHOG, the Arkansas Legislative Council, which includes
members of both legislative chambers, rejected the resolution, which
called on justices to overturn Piazza's ruling and invalidate the
hundreds of marriage licenses issued to gay couples.
The resolution was introduced by
Republican Senator Jason Rapert, who last week called for Piazza's
removal from the bench.
(Related: AR
state senator calls for removal of judge who struck down state's gay
marriage ban.)