Judge Rules Virginia Ban on Gay Marriage Unconstitutional

A federal judge in Norfolk ruled Thursday that Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, effectively sending the case to an appeals court.

U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen's decision made Virginia the second state in the South to issue a ruling recognizing the legality of gay marriages, The New York Times reported.

Wright stayed her decision until an appeals court rules, meaning that gay couples will not be able to marry in the state immediately.