By Adam Liptak | The New York Times
The Supreme Court on Monday blocked further same-sex marriages in Utah while state officials appeal a decision allowing such unions.
The terse order, from the full court, issued a stay “pending final disposition” of an appeal to the federal appeals court in Denver. It offered no reasoning.
The Supreme Court acted more than two weeks after a federal judge in Salt Lake City on Dec. 20 struck down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage, saying it violated principles of equal protection and due process. Judge Robert J. Shelby of Federal District Court refused to stay his decision while it was appealed, as did the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, in Denver.
Statement by Kaine Fisher, chairman of Rose Law Group Family Law Department: “It seems prudent for the Supreme Court to suspend opening the flood gates on gay marriages in Utah, at least until this issue runs its course all the way through the legal system. I’m sure drones of gay couples would flock to the alter between now and the time a decision is rendered and I could only imagine the logistical nightmare that would ensue attempting to unwind those marriages in the event the lower court decision is overturned.
