Gay Groups Seek Delay In Calif. Gay Marriage Case

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/01/012705califCourt.htm

Two national LGBT civil rights groups Thursday asked a federal judge not to issue a ruling in a challenge to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act until California courts have dealt with the issue of same-sex marriage.

A suburban Orange County gay couple, Christopher Hammer and Arthur Smelt, are suing the federal government in a bid to have DOMA struck down, but Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed friend of the court briefs Thursday arguing that the cases already before California courts should take precedence.

"Marriage traditionally has been a state law matter," said Jennifer Pizer, senior counsel with the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.