Alaska LGBT rights groups ask governor to end appeal of same‑sex marriage ruling

Alaska LGBT rights organizations have formally asked Gov. Bill Walker to end the state’s appeal of a federal judge’s decision overturning the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

The groups, including Identity Inc. and Alaskans Together for Equality, delivered the letter to Walker’s office on Thursday.

Besides ending the appeal, it also asks that state remove its name from a brief filed with U.S. Supreme Court in support of states that have defined marriage as between a man and woman.

Caitlin Shortell, one of the attorneys who successfully sued to overturn the state’s plan, told The Associated Press in an email that an online petition she started has more than 1,200 signatures. Those will be presented to Walker with another letter.

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Walker recently said he would have declined joining the brief filed with the Supreme Court if it were up to him. But it was his attorney general, Craig Richards, who moved ahead by adding the state’s name to the brief.

That has upset Democrats ahead of Richards’ confirmation hearing on Sunday.