Court Will Expedite Arkansas Gay Marriage Case

Arkansas' highest court has agreed to move quickly on a case challenging the state's gay marriage ban.

The state Supreme Court on Thursday granted a motion by a group of same-sex couples to expedite the appeal. The court has said it'll hold oral arguments in the case, but hasn't scheduled a date.

Lawyers for the state are appealing a Pulaski County judge's ruling in May that struck down a 2004 constitutional amendment and an earlier state law that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's decision led to hundreds of gay couples being wed before the state Supreme Court suspended his ruling.

The attorney general's office told the court it didn't object to expediting the case.

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