Wis. Asks Federal Judge to Delay Lawsuit on Gay Marriage

Attorneys representing Republican Gov. Scott Walker's administration have asked a federal judge to either delay a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's gay marriage ban or stay out of the case completely.

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a group of gay couples alleging Wisconsin's ban is unconstitutional.

The state Justice Department is defending the ban on behalf of the Walker administration.

Justice Department attorneys filed a brief with U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb on Friday arguing she should stay the case until the state Supreme Court decides whether the state's domestic partner registry violates the ban.

They also argued Crabb should stay out of the matter because any ruling would apply only to three counties named as defendants, not statewide.