Va. Gay Marriage Case Heads to Appeals Court

With Virginia's gay marriage ban overturned, the legal fight over same-sex unions in that state goes to a court that has shifted to the left since President Barack Obama's election.

It's no accident that the state has become a testing ground for federal judges' willingness to embrace same-sex marriage after last year's strongly worded pro-gay rights ruling by the Supreme Court. Judges appointed by Democratic presidents now have a 10-5 edge over Republicans on the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Three other federal appeals courts will soon take up the right of same-sex couples to marry, too. One is dominated by judges appointed by Democratic presidents. Another has shifted from a Republican advantage to an even split. The other remains relatively unchanged in favor of Republicans.