A federal judge in Eugene has denied a national group's attempt to defend Oregon's ban on same-sex marriage. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane said the National Organization of Marriage failed to prove why it should be allowed to intervene in the case.
The ruling came immediately following a hearing this morning. The judge did not indicate when he would rule on the underlying merits of the case. Four Oregon same-sex couples sued to overturn the 2004 voter-approved law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Gay rights advocates said today's ruling gives them hope. An attorney for the National Organization For Marriage says his group plans to appeal the judge's denial of the motion to intervene.