Pa. County Appeals Ban on Gay Marriage Licenses

A Pennsylvania county that had issued more than 170 marriage licenses to same-sex couples is appealing a court ruling to stop issuing the licenses, the latest volley in the state's battle over gay marriage.

Democratic officials in suburban Philadelphia's Montgomery County said Tuesday they are appealing a recent Commonwealth Court ruling to the state Supreme Court.

The ruling has been a victory for Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, who opposes gay marriage.

Montgomery County had issued 174 licenses to same-sex couples before the state Health Dept. successfully challenged the policy in court last month.

Separately, several lawsuits are underway across the state to challenge the constitutionality of the state's one-man, one-woman marriage law.

The litigation in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and elsewhere follows this year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down key parts of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.