Same-sex couples marry in St. Louis to challenge state ban

Becoming the first municipality in Missouri to challenge the statewide ban on same-sex marriage, the city of St. Louis issued four wedding licenses on Wednesday. Following the issuance of the licenses, four wedding ceremonies were held within Mayor Francis Slay’s City Hall office, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The moves prompted Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, who is charged to enforce the state’s constitution, to file suit against the city on Thursday for violating the ban. In 2004, Missouri became the first state in the nation to change its constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage.

A circuit court judge signed an order that prohibits the city from issuing more licenses while the case is pending.

St. Louis city officials said they would take the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.

Read more from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.