Judge puts same-sex marriages in Wisconsin on hold

Same-sex couples hoping to say "I do" in Wisconsin this weekend will have to wait a little longer, reports The Associated Press.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled on Friday that the state cannot perform same-sex marriages due to a pending appeal to last week's ruling that Wisconsin's same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional. Crabb, who heard the case and ruled in favor of striking down the ban, said she had mixed feelings about issuing the stay.

"After seeing the expressions of joy on the faces of so many newly wedded couples featured in media reports, I find it difficult to impose a stay on the event that is responsible for eliciting that emotion, even if the stay is only temporary," Crabb said in the order. "However, a federal district court is required to follow the guidance provided by the Supreme Court."

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An AP survey found that 555 same-sex couples had married by Thursday in Wisconsin, although Crabb's order did not address those marriage licenses' validity.