MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The couple that toppled Alabama’s gay marriage ban is urging an appellate court to let the judge’s ruling take effect.

Lawyers for Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand on Thursday asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta to reject Alabama’s request to place the ruling on hold for months.

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The Alabama attorney general asked the 11th Circuit to stay the judge’s order until the U.S. Supreme Court issues an anticipated ruling on gay marriage later this year.

Lawyers for the couple say it is irrational to keep families waiting. The lawyers said gay couples are harmed every day that they don’t have the legal protection of married families.

A federal judge in Mobile overturned Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriages on Friday.

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