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Federal Appeals Court to Weigh Tennessee Gay Marriage Cases

CINCINNATI (AP/WMOT) — A federal appeals court has scheduled oral arguments in gay marriage fights in Tennessee and three other states.

Though each case is unique, they all deal with whether statewide gay marriage bans violate the Constitution.

The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments Aug. 6 on whether to uphold gay marriage victories in the four states it oversees.

Chris Sanders, Director of the Tennessee Equality Project, says that a victory in this case would likely lead to additional litigation.

“It’s a recognition suit and it would affect couples who were legally married in other states and now live in Tennessee. If it’s successful, it could open the door for other challenges to our (Tennessee State Constitution) marriage amendment.”

More than a dozen federal and state judges have struck down part or all of state-level bans in recent months.

No rulings have gone the other way.