Wisconsin judge puts same-sex marriages on hold

6/13/2014

Rev. Scott Crandall , of Peace United Church of Christ, joins demonstrators in front of the Portage County Courthouse Friday, June 13, 2014, in Stevens Point, Wis., where about 50 people gathered to protest the county’s refusal to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen warned county clerks Thursday, that prosecutors could charge them for issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, saying the state's gay marriage ban remains in effect despite a federal judge's ruling that it's unconstitutional. Rev. Crandall is prepared to begin performing ceremonies as soon as Portage County issues licenses. (AP Photo/The Stevens Point Journal, Andy Davis) NO SALES

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MADISON, Wis. — Same-sex marriages have been put on hold in Wisconsin by a federal judge who last week struck down the state’s gay marriage ban as unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb’s ruling today means that gay marriages, which have been taking place across the state for a week, will end while the case is pending.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen requested that Crabb’s ruling be put on hold. Crabb last week declared the state’s ban unconstitutional but did not tell the state how to proceed. Today she issued an order saying the weddings are legal, but then put it on hold per Van Hollen’s request.

All but 12 of Wisconsin’s 72 county clerks began issuing licenses to same-sex couples after Crabb’s ruling last week, even though Van Hollen had argued that was premature.