Wis. Gay Marriage Supporters Launch Website as Arguments Loom in Federal Cases

Gay rights advocates are starting a website to build support for same-sex marriage in Wisconsin.

The American Civil Liberties Union's Wisconsin chapter along with Fair Wisconsin, a gay rights organization, and Freedom to Marry, a national organization pushing for gay marriage, announced Thursday they plan to launch an effort dubbed Wisconsin Unites for Marriage. Their plans call for a website with testimonials from gay couples who feel they should be allowed to get married.

Federal appeals courts in Chicago and Cincinnati are currently weighing whether a half-dozen states, including Wisconsin, should recognize gay marriage. Arguments in Chicago are set for Aug. 26.

Wisconsin ACLU head Chris Ahmuty says he doesn't know if the advocates' website will influence the judges but noted they pay attention to the media like everyone else.

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