A federal appeals court will hear
arguments in a case challenging Michigan's ban on gay marriage on
Wednesday, August 6.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in
Cincinnati announced the hearing date on Friday, ABC
affiliate WXYZ reported.
After holding a 2-week trial in
Detroit, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled the state's
marriage ban invalid on March 21. Clerks in four Michigan counties
opened their doors the following day, a Saturday, to marry more than
300 gay couples before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals suspended
Friedman's decision as the state pursues an appeal.
Plaintiffs in the case are Jayne Rowse
and April DeBoer, who wish to marry so they may jointly adopt the
three children they are raising together but were forced to adopt
individually.
All four states under the Sixth
Circuit's jurisdiction – Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee –
have appealed similar rulings to the appeals court.