Indiana's Ban On Gay Marriage Ruled Unconstitutional

A federal judge struck down Indiana's ban on same-sex marriage Wednesday, saying it's unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Richard Young said the state's ban violates the U.S. Constitution's equal-protection clause in a mixed ruling involving lawsuits from several gay couples.

The Indianapolis Star reports Young did not immediately issue a stay on the ruling, allowing couples to marry immediately.

According to the AP, the Indiana attorney general's office plans to appeal the decision. The ruling could be stayed under appeal.

The AP reports:

Federal courts across the country have struck down gay marriage bans recently, but many of those rulings are on hold pending appeal. Attorneys on both sides of the issue expect the matter to eventually land before the U.S. Supreme Court.

It also wasn't immediately clear what impact Wednesday's ruling might have on a faltering movement to add a gay marriage ban into the Indiana Constitution.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled on gay marriage Wednesday, saying that Utah cannot ban same-sex marriages.

This story has been updated with more information on the ruling.