Judge Won't Block La. Gay Marriage Vote


BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A judge on Monday refused to block a Sept. 18 statewide vote on a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriages.

Amendment opponents said they would appeal. Time is critical because the secretary of state is facing a deadline this week to get ballots to the printer.

Louisiana already has a law stating that marriage can be only between a man and woman, but supporters of the amendment want to protect that law in the Constitution.

A group called Forum for Equality sued, arguing the ban would violate the Louisiana Constitution's guarantee of individuals' rights to enter into contracts and own property together.