Judge to Rule by Monday on Wyoming Gay Marriage

By Associated Press – 16 Oct ’14

A federal judge says he will rule by Monday on whether Wyoming must allow same-sex couples to wed.

U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl heard arguments Thursday in Casper on a lawsuit filed by four same-sex couples seeking to force Wyoming to allow gay marriage in response to federal court rulings that apply to the state.

Wyoming law defines marriage as between a man and woman.

Attorneys for the same-sex couples who are either married outside Wyoming or want to get married are asking the judge to order the state to stop enforcing the law immediately.

Attorneys for the state say Wyoming wants the chance to defend its law in higher courts and that invalidating the law now will cause administrative problems and confusion.

The judge says he will rule by 5 p.m. Monday.