Gov. Scott Walker (left) and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on Thursday appealed a decision from last month that struck down Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage. Credit: Associated Press / Mike De Sisti

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Madison — Gov. Scott Walker and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on Thursday appealed a decision from last month that struck down Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage.

The two Republicans filed a two-page notice of appeal that will soon be followed up with a full brief explaining their legal arguments.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb in June found the state's gay marriage ban violated the U.S. Constitution, but she stayed her order so Van Hollen and Walker could pursue an appeal.

Thursday's filing puts the case before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. It comes amid a wave of court rulings across the nation striking down state bans on same-sex marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to ultimately determine whether gay and lesbian couples have the right to marry.

The 7th Circuit is already hearing an appeal of a decision striking down Indiana's ban on same-sex marriage. The appeals court last week agreed to put that case on a fast track.

"In light of the Seventh Circuit's recent decision to expedite briefing in the Indiana case, we filed Wisconsin's notice of appeal earlier than required by the rules," Van Hollen said in a statement. "The goal of our timing is simple: to ensure that Wisconsin is placed on equal footing with Indiana, and that our constitution and laws are given timely consideration by the appellate judges."

American Civil Liberties Union attorney Larry Dupuis said he was disappointed but not shocked by the appeal of the case that was brought by Virginia Wolf and Carol Schumacher of Eau Claire and three other same-sex couples.

"It's not surprising that they filed, but I wish they would've gotten on with it sooner. They seemed to be, and I'm going to use a play reference, afraid of Virginia Wolf. I guess they're over the fear now," said Dupuis, referring to the 1962 play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by Edward Albee.

During the eight days between Crabb's initial ruling on same-sex marriage and her entering a stay, more than 500 same-sex couples got married in Wisconsin. The status of those relationships is in legal limbo, and the ACLU has said it will sue to have those marriages recognized by the state.

The ACLU represented four couples that brought the initial suit now headed to the appeals court.

Also Thursday, Van Hollen filed a brief in opposition to the ACLU's request that Crabb lift her stay on the decision. The filing came a day after Crabb denied an ACLU request to speed up the state's response.