Both Sides On Georgia Gay Marriage Issue Eagerly Await Court Ruling

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon05/11/112705gaMarr.htm

It's been more than a year since Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on gay marriages and months since a ruling on a challenge to the measure was expected.

But the wait for that ruling continues as the case is stalled in a lower court. If the ruling comes soon, gay advocates expect it will fuel more debate on gay rights issues in January, when the legislative session begins.

"Whatever decision the judge reaches is going to draw the attention of both sides," said Chuck Bowen, executive director of Georgia Equality.

In January, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Constance Russell said she would rule on a challenge to the same-sex marriage ban once the state Supreme Court decided whether to allow lawmakers who sponsored the ban to defend it in court.