US: Federal appeals court to hear arguments against Wisconsin and Indiana gay marriage bans

A federal appeals court panel will today hear arguments in cases challenging the same-sex marriage bans in the states of Wisconsin and Indiana.

The three judge panel at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago will hear the cases, despite requests by both states’ attorney generals for a full 10-member court to hear the cases.

The two were consolidated after US Circuit Court judge Barbara Crabb struck down Wisconsin’s ban, before staying the ruling pending appeal, and a district court judge in Indiana ruled against the state’s ban.

A full panel could still hear the case, however, as the losing side can still appeal to the full court.