Montana's Gay Marriage Decision Could Come Sooner

An American Civil Liberties Union official says the U.S. Supreme Court's denial of five states' appeals against gay marriage is a good sign for those challenging marriage bans in other states, such as Montana.

Montana ACLU Legal Director Jim Taylor says he expects his organization's legal challenge of Montana's gay marriage ban to resolved more quickly now.

The nation's high court on Monday turned away appeals of lower court decisions that allowed same-sex marriages in five states. Taylor says that is likely because nearly all the decisions by the lower courts have come down against the bans.

The ACLU challenge of Montana's constitutional ban is before a U.S. District Court judge. Idaho's ban, which is very similar to Montana's, is pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

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