Decision delayed on MI gay marriage ban

DETROIT (AP) - A federal judge says he'll wait for important rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding the future of Michigan's ban on gay marriage.

Judge Bernard Friedman heard arguments Thursday. He says it's better to wait for the Supreme Court because any opinion from the nation's highest court in a California case could affect the Michigan case.

Two Detroit-area nurses are asking Friedman to strike down a 2004 constitutional amendment that says Michigan only allows marriage between a man and a woman.

Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer say the amendment and a Michigan law that bars them from jointly adopting children violate the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection clause.

The judge says the Hazel Park couple presents a "compelling" case but the state also has strong arguments.