Oklahoma Gay Marriage Ban Lands at Supreme Court

TULSA, Okla. -- The U.S. Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether Oklahoma's ban on gay marriage is constitutional.

The appeal was filed Wednesday by an organization representing Tulsa County Clerk Sally Howe Smith, who was sued a decade ago after refusing to grant a marriage license to a same-sex couple.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the couple last month, upholding a federal judge's ruling that found the ban unconstitutional.

However, those rulings were put on hold as the case makes its way through the courts, meaning same-sex couples haven't been allowed to marry in Oklahoma.

The ban was approved by more than 75 percent of voters in 2004.

The couple who sued, Sharon Baldwin and Mary Bishop, challenged the ban shortly after the law was approved.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.