LIVE VIDEO: Michigan Same-Sex Marriage Hearing Begins At 2:30PM Eastern

Anxious crowds are gathering outside the Detroit courthouse where a federal judge will today rule on the constitutionality of Michigan's 2004 ban on same-sex marriage.

With a popular disco-era tune “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” gay rights advocates let their voices be heard before the start of a 2:30 p.m. hearing before U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman. The plaintiffs in the case are April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse. “We're cautiously optimistic,” said Rowse as she entered the courthouse. Deboer added: “We hope this is the beginning of the end of our journey.” DeBoer and Jayne Rowse are challenging the state’s adoption laws and ban on same-sex marriage that was passed by voters in 2004. The two want to share adoption of their three special needs children, but Michigan’s adoption laws allow only single people to adopt, not gay couples. DeBoer and Rowse, both nurses, filed the lawsuit last year seeking the right to adopt. They later amended the suit to include their challenge against the state’s ban on same-sex marriages. Wednesday’s hearing is being watched closely around the country because a major ruling might be made in the case.

The Detroit Free Press will be running a live-stream from the courthouse and a live-blog on their site. Follow the proceedings at Twitter account for Equality Michigan

UPDATE: The live-stream has concluded.

RELATED: A small group of Christians with the Tea Party's "Revolution II" flag are protesting today in Michigan's Midland County, where the county clerk has vowed to issue gay marriage licenses upon a positive ruling. Seven Michigan counties have so far agreed to issue licenses today.