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Kentucky A.G. says he won't appeal gay-marriage ruling

Same-sex marriage supporters rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the Court hears arguments on same-sex marriage, in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2013. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
Same-sex marriage supporters rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as the Court hears arguments on same-sex marriage, in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2013. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

FRANKFORT, Ky., March 4 (UPI) -- Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway announced Tuesday he will not appeal an order that the state allow same-sex marriage.

Gov. Steve Beshear, a Republican, immediately announced an outside lawyer will handle the appeal, the (Louisville) Courier-Journal reported. Beshear's office sent out an email soon after Conway, a Democrat, appearing close to tears, said he could not defend discrimination and that U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II "got it right."

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"It's about placing people over politics," Conway said in his Frankfort office.

Heyburn on Friday gave Kentucky 20 days to implement his decision, rejecting the state's request for a 90-day stay. He has ruled both that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and that the state must recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

Beshear, in his email, said the outside lawyer would ask for a stay while the appeal is being considered as well as file the appeal.

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