Watch CBS News

Calif. Attorney General Asks Court To Lift Gay Marriage Stay

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California's attorney general has asked a federal appeals court to allow gay marriages to resume while the court considers the constitutionality of the state's ban on same-sex unions.

Attorney General Kamala Harris submitted a petition to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday.

The appeals court is considering the Proposition 8 case after a trial judge struck down the ban last year. The court imposed a stay on that ruling during the appeals process.

In Tuesday's petition, Harris joined lawyers for the two gay couples who sued to overturn Proposition 8 in asking the court to lift the stay.

Harris, who previously served as San Francisco's district attorney, succeeded Gov. Jerry Brown as attorney general in January. Brown refused to defend Proposition 8 before the appeals court.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.