DETROIT (AP) — A federal judge says he will hold a trial before deciding whether to overturn Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage.

U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman said Wednesday he won't make a decision without hearing testimony from experts on whether there's a legitimate state interest in banning gay marriage.

Friedman said a trial will be scheduled for Feb. 25.

Two Detroit-area nurses in a lesbian relationship argued in their lawsuit that the state's constitutional amendment violates the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.

Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer sued last year to win the right to adopt each other's children. But they refiled the lawsuit after Friedman suggested they also target the gay marriage ban.

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia allow gay marriage.

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