Civil Liberties

Arkansas County Clerk: Lawsuit Challenging Gay Marriage Ban Should Be Settled in State Court

Currently being adjudicated in federal court

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A county clerk said Thursday that a federal lawsuit challenging Arkansas' 2004 ban on same-sex marriages should be dismissed and the issue should be considered in state court.

Pulaski County Clerk Larry Crane said in court papers that a lawsuit filed by three gay couples in July mimics one filed by 11 couples in state court. He said a state court should have the chance to address the issue before a federal court gets involved.