Gay marriage advocates lose legal skirmish

PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- An appeals court in California has ruled forcing an anti-gay marriage group to turn over internal e-mails would violate the right to freedom of association.

Three judges of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reversed a lower court ruling, the Los Angeles Times reported. The appeals panel ruled for the Protect Marriage group and Yes-on-8, a coalition supporting a referendum to ban gay marriage in California.

"The freedom to associate with others for the common advancement of political beliefs and ideas lies at the heart of the First Amendment," the opinion said.

Lawyers for two gay couples sought access to internal e-mails, arguing they would show the campaign against same-sex marriage was trying to create "discriminatory animus" towards homosexuals.

The appeals court heard arguments Dec. 1 and issued an expedited ruling less than two weeks later.