Just two days before an order mandating the state of Kentucky recognize legal civil same-sex marriages performed in outside jurisdictions, a federal judge has place a hold on that ruling indefinitely.
Five weeks ago to the day, U.S. District Court Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled the state of Kentucky’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages from outside the state violates the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection, under the 14th Amendment.
Today, Judge Heyburn placed a hold on his own ruling.
The AP reports that Heyburn, “in a four-page order said it is best that momentous changes in the law happen after full review, rather than running the risk of premature implementation or confusing the issues.”
Kentucky’s Democratic governor Steve Beshear is paying a reported $100,000 to appeal Heyburn’s February ruling. Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway has refused to appeal the ruling, stating that if he were to appeal, “I would be defending discrimination. That I will not do.â€
No word yet on when the hold on recognition will be lifted, or if the appeal, which will be heard in the Sixth Circuit, along with an Ohio case, will have to be decided first.
The case, Bourke v. Beshear, filed by three couples, including the family above — Michael DeLeon and Gregory Bourke, married in Canada.
Image via Michael DeLeon’s Facebook Page
This post has been updated.