Phoenix, AZ (KPHO) -- A major ruling on same-sex marriage in Arizona is expected any day now.
A lawsuit challenging the state's gay marriage ban is making its way through federal court.
Terry Pochert and Joe Connolly, of Maricopa, are one of seven couples leading the charge to give same-sex couples the right to marry in Arizona.
"To me, it's very simple," said Pochert. "Two people love each other, and are committed to each other for a lifelong relationship. We just want the same rights that any other couple in a long term relationship would have."
In 2008, Arizona voters amended the state constitution to include the definition of marriage as only between one man and one woman.
Other states did the same.
Valley attorney Heather Macre's firm AikenShenk is handling the gay marriage lawsuit.
Macre said that a number of courts across the country have already ruled that gay marriage bans are unconstitutional.
"The wave seems to be very positive," said Macre. We have not seen a ban on same sex marriage upheld this year. It really feels like every week there's another state where the ban is overturned."
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently struck down laws in Utah and Oklahoma prohibiting same-sex marriages.
Nineteen states currently allow same-sex couples to marry.
Aaron Baer is communications director for the Center for Arizona Policy.
He told CBS5 that states should have the right to define marriage, especially when it's approved by a majority of voters.
"Arizonans voted pretty loudly that marriage is a union between one man and one woman," said Baer. "It's our great hope that the court shows proper restraint and doesn't stifle the debate and honest conversation about the meaning and purpose of marriage."
Even if the judge in this case strikes down Arizona's gay marriage ban, that doesn't automatically mean that same sex couples here can run out and get a marriage license, said Macre.
Arizona's attorney general can request a stay pending an appeal of the case.
The gay marriage issue will likely not be decided until it ends up in the U.S. Supreme Court, said Macre.
