Challenge to Mo. Gay Marriage Ban Heads to Court

A legal challenge to Missouri's gay marriage ban returns to court in St. Louis.

The city issued marriage licenses to four same-sex couples in June, setting up a court fight in a state where gay marriage is banned under a 2004 amendment to the Missouri Constitution. St. Louis officials have agreed to stop issuing marriage licenses to gay couples pending resolution of the legal case and others in state and federal courts.

Online court records list Monday's proceeding before St. Louis Circuit Judge Rex Burlison as a status hearing.

An American Civil Liberties Union challenge on behalf of two same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in Jackson County has been moved from state to federal court at the request of Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.