Wisconsin Couples Rally for Gay Marriage

Gay couples and their supporters plan rallies in Madison, Milwaukee and Racine on Monday before taking buses to Chicago to listen to arguments in Wisconsin's gay marriage lawsuit.

Oral arguments will take place Tuesday before the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

The state is appealing a federal judge's June decision overturning Wisconsin's gay marriage ban. Hundreds of couples married in a week between the decision and an order putting it on hold.

Wisconsin's appeal has been combined with a similar one from Indiana. Gay marriage proponents have won more than 20 legal decisions against state same-sex marriage restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the federal Defense of Marriage Act last year. Legal experts expect the issue to be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court sometime next year.

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