Gay Marriage OK'd in Oklahoma by Federal Court

DENVER (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Friday that Oklahoma must allow gay couples to wed, marking the second time it has found the U.S. Constitution protects same-sex marriage.

The decision from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a ruling that struck down Oklahoma's gay marriage ban. But the Denver-based court immediately put its decision on hold pending an appeal, meaning same-sex couple won't be allowed to marry in Oklahoma for now.

The 2-1 ruling comes after the same three-judge panel ruled in June that Utah's ban on same-sex marriage violates the Constitution. It was the first time an appellate court determined that last year's U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act meant states couldn't deny gays the ability to wed. That ruling also is on hold, and Utah's attorney general has said he plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.