Churches cannot defend Illinois ban on marriage equality

A judge says two Chicagoland churches and the Illinois Family Institute cannot intervene in a lawsuit over the state’s ban on marriage equality.

Soon after President Obama endorsed marriage equality, two dozen same-sex couples filed two separate lawsuits, arguing that it is unconstitutional for Illinois to deny them the right to wed.

Cook County Circuit Judge Sophia Hall said that the IFI, Arlington Heights-based Church of Christian Liberty and Bensenville-based Grace Gospel Fellowship didn’t meet the legal standard to intervene but may file briefs stating their positions.

[via SFGate]