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Virginia gay marriage ban overturned by US judge Virginia gay marriage ban overturned by US judge
(35 minutes later)
A US federal judge in Virginia has ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.A US federal judge in Virginia has ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
It is the first time that a southern state has had a voter-approved prohibition on gay marriage overturned.It is the first time that a southern state has had a voter-approved prohibition on gay marriage overturned.
The ruling will not apply pending a possible appeal. Same-sex marriages are legal in 17 US states, most of them in the north-east, and Washington DC.The ruling will not apply pending a possible appeal. Same-sex marriages are legal in 17 US states, most of them in the north-east, and Washington DC.
Such unions have been approved either through legislation, court rulings or voter referendums.Such unions have been approved either through legislation, court rulings or voter referendums.
Earlier this week, a federal judge in Kentucky ruled that the state must recognise same-sex marriages performed elsewhere in the US. 'Adding momentum'
However, the judge did not rule on the legality of same-sex marriages inside the state, effectively meaning that the current ban remained in place. The ruling by Judge Arenda Wright Allen in Norfolk followed a legal challenge on same-sex marriage by a gay couple.
The judge agreed with them that the ban infringes on their constitutional rights and their fundamental freedom to marry.
Many expect the case - or one like it - to go all the way to the US Supreme Court, the BBC's Beth McLeod in Washington reports.
Virginia is the first state in the old confederacy - a group of southern states that are traditionally seen as socially conservative - to have its ban overturned.
The decision adds momentum to a growing acceptance of gay marriage in the US, our correspondent ADDS.
Earlier this week, a federal judge in Kentucky - another southern state - ruled that it must recognise same-sex marriages performed elsewhere in the US.
However, the judge did not rule on the legality of same-sex marriages inside Kentucky, effectively meaning that the current ban remained in place.