Federal Appeals Court to Hear Challenge of Gay Marriage Bans

MADISON, Wis.  — A federal appeals court in Chicago will hear arguments in challenges of gay marriage bans in Wisconsin and Indiana's on Aug. 13.

Federal judges in both states have struck down the bans as unconstitutional. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals consolidated the Wisconsin and Indiana cases on Friday and put them on the fast track.

The court separately rejected a request by Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to have five extra days to submit arguments.

Both states have asked that all 10 judges on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals hear the cases, but it has not yet ruled on those requests.

Usually the 7th Circuit uses three-judge panels to decide cases.