Arkansas Attorney General Dustin
McDaniel notified a federal court on Tuesday that he will appeal a
judge's ruling striking down Arkansas' ban on gay marriage.
On November 25, U.S. District Judge
Kristine Baker sided with two lesbian couples challenging the state's
decade-old ban.
Baker put her ruling on hold, giving
state officials until Friday to file an appeal with the Eighth
Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Arkansas Supreme Court last month
heard arguments in a separate case challenging the state's ban.
McDaniel said in a statement that he
had hoped the state's highest court would have ruled in the case by
now.
“Had they done so, their guidance
would have been helpful,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel has previously said that he is
obligated to defend the ban in court despite his personal support for
marriage equality.
“I believe it is necessary to file
this notice, in keeping with my obligation to oppose all challenges
to our State Constitution,” he said.