The U.S. Supreme Court refused Monday to hear cases from five states seeking to keep their same-sex marriage bans in place.

That clears the way for those states to have their bans lifted quickly. It also means that six more states could soon have to lift theirs -- because they are covered by the same circuit appeals courts that initially struck down the prohibitions. Once that happens, the number of states permitting same-sex marriage will jump from 19 to 30.

At issue is whether gay and lesbian couples in all 50 states have the same equal protection or due process right to marry that opposite-sex couples have.

The five states whose appeals won't be heard are Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Indiana. The order could also affect bans in West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming in coming weeks. The high court's action does not foreclose a final ruling on the constitutional questions -- many court observers fully expect a landmark decision in the next year or two -- but it does signal the justices are not ready to jump into the politically charged debate right now.

The high court's move surprised many observers. Advocates on both sides of the issue had wanted the court to offer a definitive, binding ruling on key constitutional questions.

Same-sex marriage is already legal in the District of Columbia and 19 U.S states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

A Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage would essentially end a patchwork of state laws -- some that allow it, some that prohibit it, and a few that allow protections short of marriage, such as civil unions and domestic partnerships.

Marriage equality supporters cheered the high court's Monday order.

"Today's decision by the Supreme Court leaves in force five favorable marriage rulings reached in three federal appellate courts, ensuring the freedom to marry for millions more Americans around the country," said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/06/politics/scotus-same-sex-marriage/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

That's their problem.

I guess with this development, the Republicans and other 'conservative' groups can save millions of $$ by not campaigning any further against gay marriage.

Interesting

Mynd44:
Interesting

frontpage tinz

How does this concern Nigeria.

It is their choice.

22 states remain.

End time cinema.

My mind is suspicious of what is sweeping across the media world, kinda similar and like a chain-reaction. #ETT#

chaii