Judge Says Motion to Lift Wis. Gay Marriage Stay Moot

A federal judge says civil rights advocates' request to lift a stay on gay marriages in Wisconsin is moot.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled last month that the state's gay marriage ban is unconstitutional in an American Civil Liberties lawsuit. More than 500 same-sex couples got married before Crabb put her ruling on hold a week later pending an expected appeal from Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

The ACLU asked Crabb last week to lift the stay on marriages, arguing Van Hollen was intentionally delaying filing his appeal. Van Hollen filed notice of an appeal on Thursday.

Crabb issued a brief order Friday denying the ACLU's request to lift the stay, saying the request doesn't matter since Van Hollen has filed his notice.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.