Same-Sex Marriage Appeal: County Clerk Fights Ruling

The Prince William County Circuit Court clerk will make another attempt to defend Virginia's same-sex marriage ban, according to media reports, including The Associated Press.

Federal Judge Arenda Wright Allen ruled the ban was unconstitutional earlier this month, but stayed that ruling to allow for the appeal.

Prince William County was not involved in the initial suit, but County Clerk Michèle McQuigg joined the defense in January. The move followed Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring's decision that state lawyers would not defend the same-sex marriage ban approved by voters in 2006.

Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk George Schaefer has also appealed the ruling, according to Bloomberg News. Schaefer stressed in a statement that he was pressing ahead to expedite "final clarification" from the courts.

Herring also appealed the ruling, saying in a statement, "I have filed a notice of appeal to ensure that higher courts can swiftly rule on the critical issues in this case."