The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has just denied the governor of Utah’s request to block a federal judge’s ruling on Friday that found banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
Dozens of same-sex couples married Friday afternoon and evening. Weddings for same-sex couples, thanks to the Court’s ruling tonight, can thus continue on Monday.
The court found no reason to halt marriages, and stated the governor and acting attorney general had not provided any sound reason to.
“Because the motion before us does not meet the requirements of the Federal or local appellate rules governing a request for a stay,” the Court noted, “we deny the motion.”
Utah’s Republican governor and acting AG have filed a notice of appeal. No word on when that case will be heard. In the mean time — congratulations, at least for now, to Utah.
Chances are strong that any marriages conducted will remain legal, even if the Courts were to overturn Friday’s ruling later. This is a developing news story–stay tuned.
13-4178 #5 – Order Denying Temporary Stay by Equality Case Files
Image of Seth Anderson and Michael Ferguson, one of the first same-sex couples to marry in Utah, by Seth Anderson via Twitter