LAS VEGAS (AP) - A gay rights advocacy group is vowing to appeal a federal court judge's ruling upholding Nevada's ban on same-sex marriage.

U.S. District Chief Judge Robert Jones ruled that Nevada has what he calls "a legitimate state interest" in maintaining the traditional institution of marriage between one man and one woman.

He says the state has the right to prohibit recognition of marriages from other states.

Lambda Legal attorney Tara Borelli noted Friday that gay marriage is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, while voters recently approved same-sex marriage in three states and defeated a ban in a fourth.

Borelli calls Jones's ruling late Thursday out-of-step with the rest of the country and wrong on the law.

A lawyer for the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage isn't commenting.

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