DES MOINES, Iowa — The gay marriage debate continues as the Iowa Supreme Court hears arguments in a challenge to the state’s same-sex marriage ban.

Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit in 2005 on behalf of the six gay and lesbian Iowa couples who were denied marriage licenses, as well as three of the couples’ children. It names former Polk County recorder and registrar Timothy Brien.

In August 2007, Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson ruled that the state law allowing marriage only between a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of due process and equal protection.

Hanson stayed his decision the next day and now the case is before the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Tuesday morning.

Attorneys involved in the case say it could take a year or more for a ruling.