Four couples suing over Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage are asking a federal judge to rule in their favor without a trial, contending the facts of the case and recent federal court rulings elsewhere make it clear that Idaho's marriage laws violate the Constitution.
The defendant in the case, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, also is asking the judge for an immediate ruling, contending that states and not the federal government have the right to define marriage and that same-sex marriages would harm Idaho's children.
Both sides made their arguments in legal briefs filed in Boise's U.S. District Court on Wednesday.
Also Wednesday, nine same-sex couples in Colorado filed suit in Denver challenging their state's ban on gay marriage. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.
