Judge preparing for trial on gay marriage ban

DETROIT (AP) -- A federal judge is setting aside at least eight days for a trial on Michigan's ban on gay marriage. U.S. District Court Judge Bernard Friedman, Eastern District of Michigan, held a conference call with attorneys Wednesday to discuss the trial, which starts Feb. 25 in Detroit. In 2004, Michigan voters banned gay marriage. But two Detroit-area nurses are challenging it as unconstitutional, as well as a state law that bars them from adopting each other's kids. The judge will hear from experts. The state attorney general's office says heterosexual marriage provides the best family setting for children. Attorneys for Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer say research shows there's no difference for kids in same-sex households. Published: Fri, Feb 14, 2014