Maryland upholds gay marriage ban

BALTIMORE, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A Maryland appeals court Tuesday upheld the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, saying the rule limiting marriage to heterosexual couples was constitutional.

The 4-3 decision by the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld the state law that was cited in 2004 when the state turned down a marriage license application from a same-sex couple.

The judges ruled that the ban didn't violate provisions for equal-rights provisions in the Maryland constitution.

The Baltimore Sun said the court’s 240-page ruling didn't preclude the state legislature from passing a law allowing same-sex marriage. Gay advocates and the American Civil Liberties Union, which acted as the plaintiffs in the case, called on lawmakers to do just that, the newspaper said.