US: Missouri’s same-sex marriage ban case moves to federal court

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A lawsuit challenging Missouri’s same-sex marriage ban has been moved from state court to federal court.

The switch comes after Attorney General Chris Koster intervened in the case.

The Associated Press reports the switch was made to fast track the case through the courts.

A spokesperson for the attorney general told AP of the move: “We wanted at least one of the cases (from Missouri) to be considered in a court of broader jurisdiction.”

Though Missouri is not stated as the defendant in the lawsuit in question, the lawsuit does call the state’s marriage ban unconstitutional, leading the attorney general to intervene.

The attorney general has previously said he supports same-sex marriage, but will defend the state’s same-sex marriage ban to carry out his official duties.

His office filed documents earlier this week in federal court that argue Missouri’s ban should be upheld, saying states have the right to set boundaries on marriage until the US Supreme Court rules otherwise.

Four same-sex couples were allowed to marry in St Louis, Missouri in June despite the state banning same-sex marriage.

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