Supreme Court Refuses to Halt Same-Sex Marriages in Oregon
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to halt same-sex marriages in Oregon pending appeal of a federal judge’s ruling that threw out the state’s ban on gay marriage.
Julie Engbloom, left, and Laurie Brown, right, get married by Judge Beth A. Allen at Portland’s Melody Ballroom on May 19, after U.S. District Judge Michael McShane threw out the state’s ban on gay marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to block gay marriages during appeal of McShane’s ruling.
Unlike rulings in other states, Oregon officials urged the high court not to block the ruling by U.S. District Judge Michael McShane from going into effect. The motion for a stay came from the National Organization for Marriage, a group that has opposed same-sex marriage and civil unions.
The conservative governors of such states as Utah and Idaho have successfully petitioned for a stay while the states appeal federal judges’ rulings that have thrown out laws and state constitutional amendments barring marriage by same-sex couples.
More: Supreme Court Refuses to Halt Same-Sex Marriages in Oregon - Strange Bedfellows — Politics News